The incubation period for chlamydia is 7–21 days. If you’ve had sex with someone who has a positive test result, or if you’ve had a sexual encounter with a new partner, your results can be detected within the incubation period. Taking a home chlamydia test typically involves collecting a urine or genital swab sample while at home and then sending it to a lab for analysis. Lab technicians then determine whether the bacterium responsible for chlamydia is present in the sample. Additionally, the CDC offers a database where people can find centers that offer free or low cost STI testing and vaccinations. People can search via their ZIP code or state.

Healthcare insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, typically cover some or all of the cost of STI testing. However, there are several places where a person may receive free or low cost STI screening. Aside from which STDs a panel identifies, other considerations for choosing a chlamydia at-home kit include how fast you’ll get results, whether the company offers support or treatment if you test positive, and cost. Benefits and Downsides of At-Home Chlamydia Tests Pros: FDA-approved, HIPPA-compliant system, treatment and counseling available, fast results, same-day testing Know that your partner has a sexually transmitted disease or sexually transmitted infection (STD or STI). If you're offered a chlamydia test you should consider taking it. What does the chlamydia test involve?

Any blue colour is a positive results. If no blue colour is present, then the result is negative. Results should not be interpre ted after two minutes.Allow between 1 and 2 minutes and then look for any blue colour anywhere on the tip of the swab or in the rayon plug next to the swab tip. Waiting longer than 2 minutes may result in an incorrect result. If you receive a positive test result, you should pursue follow-up testing for chlamydia. To confirm the results of a positive at-home test, a doctor may recommend repeat testing with a sample collected by a healthcare professional. If you think you might have been exposed to chlamydia or are experiencing symptoms like abnormal discharge, painful urination, or bleeding (rectum), don’t wait to get tested. You can screen for this common STD at home with kits that identify evidence of this bacterial infection. The NAAT detects genetic material of the bacteria and can be conducted on a variety of samples, including urine, a throat swab, or a swab of fluid taken from the urethra, vagina, or rectum. Examples of at-home STD tests, the necessary test samples, and what each test measures are listed in the tables below. How does an at-home chlamydia test work? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chlamydia: CDC fact sheet. Updated January 23, 2014. Accessed June 10, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm

Getting tested is the only way to be sure you’re STI-free. Just because you feel healthy doesn’t mean you’re infection-free.The Alabama Department of Health offers free STD testing through both home tests and county health departments. Alabama residents can request one free STD/HIV home specimen and laboratory testing kit every three months.