Anti Chlamydia Antibody Test - IgM

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test helps detect antibodies against the chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. The IgM antibodies indicate a recent infection.

Chlamydia is a commonly occurring sexually transmitted disease (STD). This bacterial infection is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads if you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected individual. Most people do not show any symptoms of chlamydia and may end up spreading the infection without even knowing that they are infected.

The disease caused by chlamydia trachomatis is usually treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications and lead to infertility in women and urethral swelling in men.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test is used to determine if you have been exposed to the chlamydia bacterium recently. This helps maintain safe sexual relations with your future partner in case of positive results and get treated early to avoid complications.

Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test measures the chlamydia antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are substances that your immune system produces in response to any pathogens like viruses and bacteria that enter the body. These antibodies are proteins specific to chlamydia trachomatis.

There are three types of immunoglobulins or antibodies - immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin A (IgA). Based on their development at different stages after infection, these immunoglobulins are formed.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test focuses on the total number of IgM antibodies.
The IgM antibodies indicate the presence of a recent illness and take about two weeks to develop.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test is prescribed for all adults and genders. This test is prescribed in the following cases:

• If you are sexually active and have more than one partner.
• If you have had unprotected sex recently.
• If you have been diagnosed with HIV infection.
• If you are pregnant.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test helps confirm that you have been exposed to the chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in the recent past. You may need to repeat the anti chlamydia antibody IgM test if you have symptoms of chlamydia infection.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test takes a sample of your blood for testing. Your immune system requires time to produce antibodies against the chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. For accurate results, you must wait for at least 2-4 weeks after infection.

Before the Test

This test does not require any preparation from your end.

During the Test

It is a simple blood test that will get over in 5-10 minutes. You do not need to prepare for the test in any way.

After the Test

There are no restrictions after the anti chlamydia antibody IgM test . You can resume normal activity.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test report detects the antibodies present in your body that have formed against chlamydia trachomatis. The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test report gives you the presence or absence of IgM antibodies which indicate you were exposed to the infection recently.

Anti chlamydia antibody IgM test results only shows the presence or absence of the chlamydia antibodies. This test cannot diagnose chlamydia infection.

The normal values and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.

If you test positive on the anti chlamydia antibody IgM test -

• A positive antibody test result indicates that your body has produced antibodies against the chlamydia bacterium. This was probably due to previous infection or past exposure.
• You may test positive even if you have never had symptoms of chlamydia infection. This is due to asymptomatic infection where you do not show any symptoms caused by the bacterium.
• Some individuals show false-positive results. This means that your anti chlamydia antibody IgM test results showed the presence of antibodies, but they actually do not exist.

If you test negative on the anti chlamydia antibody IgM test -

• A negative antibody test result indicates that you have not been exposed to the chlamydia bacterium.
• It could also mean that you may have been exposed but not gotten infected with the bacterium.
• You may get a false-negative report in some cases since some anti chlamydia antibody IgM test are unable to detect the antibodies formed against the bacterium.
• You have gotten the anti chlamydia antibody IgM test done quite early after the infection. It takes 2-4 weeks for the antibodies to develop. Some people tend to take even longer to develop antibodies against the disease. Hence, you need to wait for at least four weeks before you get your test done.
• Some people who have been exposed to the bacterium in the past may never develop antibodies.

Consult your doctor to interpret your results correctly and get the right kind of treatment.

The anti chlamydia antibody IgM test cannot tell you -

• If you are immune to chlamydia trachomatis.
• If you may or may not spread the infection to others.