Chlamydia
The only way to find out if you have chlamydia is to get tested. You can get tested whether or not you have symptoms.
If you live in England, you're under 25 and you're sexually active, it is recommended that you get tested every year or when you change sexual partner, as you're more likely to catch chlamydia.
The recommended tests for chlamydiaare simple, painless and generally very reliable.
Theyinvolve sending a sample of cells to a laboratory for analysis.You don'tnecessarily have to be examined by a doctor or nurse first and can often collect the sample yourself.
There are two main ways the sample can be collected:
Men will usually be asked toprovide a urine sample, while women will usuallybe asked to either swab inside their vagina or provide a urine sample.
The results willnormally be available after 7 to 10 days. If there's a high chance you have chlamydia for example, you have symptoms of the infection or your partner has been diagnosed withit and you've had unprotected sex with themyou mightstart treatment before you get your results.
You should consider getting tested for chlamydia if:
If you're under 25 years of age and sexually active, getting tested every year or when you change sexual partner is recommended because you're more likely to catch chlamydia.
If you have chlamydia, you also should be offered another test aroundthree months after being treated. This is because young adults who test positive for chlamydia are at increased risk of catching it again.
Youcan get a free,confidential chlamydia test at:
You can go to whichever place is the most comfortable and convenient for you.Search for your nearest sexual health service and read about what happens atan STI clinic .
You can also buy chlamydia testing kits to do at home, but these aren't always very accurate. If you're considering using one of these tests, speak to your pharmacist or GP for advice.
Young people under 25 years of age can get tested as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP). This is often in places such as pharmacies, colleges and youth centres.
In some areas, young people can order a postal testing kit online as part of the NCSP.Search for free online tests for under 25s to see if this is available in your area.
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Find out who is most at risk, where to get tested, and how it's treated.
Read about the possible symptoms of chlamydia that can be experienced by men and women, and find out when you should seek medical advice.
Read about who should have a chlamydia test, where you can get tested and what the test involves.
Read about how chlamydia is treated, including how long treatment lasts, whether you'll need to return to the clinic, and how long you'll need to avoid having sex.
Read about the possible complications that can develop if chlamydia isn't treated, including fertility problems in women and men.
Read Sally's story about how she discovered she had chlamydia when she was 16. She describes her symptoms and how she was diagnosed and treated.
Read the real story of Julie Dawson, who was diagnosed with chlamydia when she was 18.It had developed into advanced pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).