Chlamydia

Reportable by Laboratories and Providers

About this Reportable Disease

Infectious agent:  Chlamydia trachomatis

Description of illness: Chlamydia is a common bacterial STD that can infect the genitals, oropharynx, and rectum of both men and women. Chlamydia is spread from person to person during sexual contact and is frequently asymptomatic. If symptoms occur, they may be mild and include: abnormal discharge from the penis, vagina, or rectum, and painful urination. Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics, but infections often reoccur. Without treatment, chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system, leading to increased risk for ectopic pregnancy and infertility. All sexually active women under 25 years of age and men who have sex with men should be screened annually and more often if at risk. Additionally, sexually active men in high-prevalence settings and women greater than 25 years of age who are at risk (more than one sex partner, a partner with concurrent partners, or a partner with an STD) should be screened.

Interactive Disease Data


Laboratory Reporting for this Disease

Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigen detection

TEST NAME Chlamydia trachomatis / Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigen detection by Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAAT)  
DISEASE/DISORDER Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae  
ALTERNATIVE NAME(S) Chlamydia, CT; GC, Gonorrhea  
METHODOLOGY Aptima Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae detection assay by nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) using the Hologic Panther System  
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS This assay is not approved for use in patients < 14 years of age.   
ORDERING INFORMATION

Lab Web Portal

PTBMIS:

URINE:     

Test Order Code:    GENPU   

Test Order Description:     GEN PROBE, URINE

UROGENITAL PENILE SWAB:     

Test Order Code:    GENPP     

Test Order Description:     GEN PROBE, UROGENITAL PENILE SW

ENDOCERVICAL:     

Test Order Code:    GENPE     

Test Order Description:     GEN PROBE ENDOCERVICAL

THROAT:     

Test Order Code:    GENPO     

Test Order Description:     GEN PROBE THROAT

VAGINAL:     

Test Order Code:    GENPV     

Test Order Description:     GEN PROBE VAGINAL

ANAL:     

Test Order Code:    GENPA     

Test Order Description:     GEN PROBE ANAL

  

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation
  • Refer to manufacturer instructions provided with collection kits for specific patient preparation information.
  • Only the following specimen types will be accepted for testing: Clinician-collected endocervical, vaginal, throat, rectal, and male urethral swabs, female and male urine, patient-collected vaginal swab. 
  • Specimens must be collected using the specified Aptima Specimen Collection Kit. 
  
Specimen Collection
  • Aptima Urine Specimen Collection Kit: female and male urine.
  • Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit: vaginal, throat, and rectal specimens.
  • Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit: endocervical and male urethral specimens.
  • Refer to appropriate specimen collection kit package insert for collection instructions.
  • Do not touch or mark upon the collection vials’ pierceable foil cap.
  
Specimen Processing
  • After collection, place patient sample in biohazard bag with absorbent material using care not to touch the foil cap.
  
Specimen Labeling
  • Specimen should be labled with at least two unique patient identifiers and specimen source and match accompanying test order.
  
Specimen Storage and Preservation
  • After collection, place patient sample in an individual biohazard bag with absorbent material using care not to touch the foil cap. 
  • All specimens for an individual patient may be combined in one biohazard bag.
  • Store and transport at 2 - 30°C; must arrive within 72 hours of collection. If specimens will not arrive at the laboratory within 72 hours, specimens may be stored at 4-30°C for up to 30 days. 
  • If longer storage is needed, freeze specimens in the Aptima specimen transport tube within seven (7) days of collection at -20°C to -70°C to allow testing up to twelve (12) months after collection.
  
Specimen Transportation
  • Specimens must be placed in an individual biohazard bag with absorbent material and should be shipped to the laboratory on the day of collection. 
  • All specimens for an individual patient may be combined in one biohazard bag.
  • Store and transport at 2 - 30°C; must arrive within 72 hours of collection. If specimens will not arrive at the laboratory within 72 hours, specimens may be stored at 4-30°C for up to 30 days. 
  • All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 
  
Specimen Acceptability and Rejection
  • Specimens collected from patients <14 years of age will be rejected.
  • If expiration date on tube is prior to collection date, specimen will be rejected. 
  • Specimens received in improper collection kits and/or from unapproved specimen sites will be rejected.
  • Urine specimens that are filled above or below the urine collection tube’s fill lines will be rejected.
  • Specimens received with no swab, two swabs, a cleaning swab, and/or a swab not supplied by Hologic will be rejected. 
  • Cadaveric patient specimens will be rejected. 
  • Specimens with clerical errors in the lab order or on the specimen tube will be rejected.
  • Unlabeled or improperly identified specimens will be rejected. 
  • Specimens transported or stored at incorrect temperatures will be rejected.
  • Specimens received past manufacturer's viability from the date of collection will be rejected. 
  
Testing Location
  • Nashville
  • Knoxville
  

Laboratory Reporting

Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.

Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers

Clinical Summary

  • Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which can infect the genital tract, throat or rectum via vaginal, anal or oral sex. 
  • Many infected individuals show no symptoms, making the infection easily missed and unknowingly transmitted. 
  • When symptoms do occur, they may include abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis, burning during urination, or pain/bleeding between periods (in women); rectal pain or discharge may occur with rectal infection.
  • If untreated, Chlamydia can lead to serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women (which may cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy) and epididymitis in men.
  • Treatment involves appropriate antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline for 7 days or a single-dose azithromycin), and it is critical that sex partners are treated as well to avoid reinfection.

Healthcare Provider Reporting

Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.

Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:

• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857

• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.

• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting. 

• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link. 

Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public

What it is

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It can infect men and women, and can be transmitted via vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner. 

Types

While often described as a single infection rather than clearly separated phases, key clinical distinctions include:

Asymptomatic/subclinical infection: Most people infected have no noticeable symptoms, which means the infection can persist undetected.

Symptomatic urogenital (or extragenital) infection: When symptoms do occur they may involve the urogenital tract (cervix, penis, urethra), rectum or throat depending on exposure.

If left untreated, complications may develop (e.g., in women pelvic inflammatory disease).

Signs and Symptoms

Many infected persons show no symptoms.

For those who do show symptoms:

In women: abnormal vaginal discharge, burning during urination, bleeding between periods or after intercourse.

In men: penile discharge, burning when urinating, possible pain/swelling of the testicles (less common).

Extragenital infections (rectal or throat) may cause rectal pain/discharge/bleeding or sore throat, though often asymptomatic. 

Treatment

Chlamydia is curable with antibiotics. 

According to current CDC guidelines: the first-line regimen for uncomplicated urogenital or anorectal infection in non-pregnant people is Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 7 days. 

An alternative is Azithromycin 1 g orally in a single dose (especially when there are concerns about adherence). 

During treatment you should avoid sexual activity until you and your partner(s) have completed therapy to prevent reinfection and further spread. 

This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM