Chlamydia Testing

Of all the testing methods, the least invasive and most popular method involves providing a urine sample. This sample will be screened for chlamydia DNA through nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT). For best results, those who are tested this way shouldn’t go to the bathroom for two hours before giving the sample.

Swabs can also be used in NAAT, as well as DNA probe tests and cultures. For men, a swab is taken from the opening of the urethra, while for women it’ taken from the vagina, either by self-swabbing or by medical staff.

For eye infections that are suspected to be chlamydia, the patient’s eye is swabbed or scraped, and the tissue is tested the same way as other samples.

The results of DNA testing should be finished within 24 hours. A new, faster test, called an Amplicor Chlamydia Trachomatis Test, can have results back within four hours. The most traditional test, the culture test, takes three to seven days for tests results to come back.