Chlamydia screening and testing
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in England. You may get it if you have unprotected sex – that is, sex without a condom.
Chlamydia symptoms
Chlamydia symptoms include:
- pain when you urinate
- unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum
- in women, bleeding between periods or after sex
Most people who have chlamydia don’t notice symptoms and don't know they have it. If you don’t get treatment, however, the infection can lead to other serious long term health problems including infertility.
Chlamydia testing
The most common age group for infected men or women is aged under 25, but you should ask for a test at any age if you think you have an infection or have a new sexual partner.
We carry out chlamydia screening across Thurrock at GP surgeries and pharmacies.
To find your nearest screening service, go to NHS: find chlamydia screening under 25s services and ask for a testing kit to your home address.
The screening test is free, simple and discreet.
- a swab test for women
- a urine test for men
Results are sent to you 10 days after taking the test.
Where to get tested
You can get a free chlamydia testing kit:
- at your GP surgery
- at a sexual health clinic
- sent to your home
Go to Brook Thurrock for more sexual health information and support.
How to get a home testing kit
You can get a home testing kit from:
- your GP surgery
- your pharmacy
Follow the instructions in the kit to carry out the test.
The test is sent to the lab and you get the results in 10 days.
The results
There are 3 outcomes:
- if your test is negative, we tell you will and you do not have to do anything
- if the test hasn’t worked, we will ask you to take the test again
- if your test is positive, you will need to get treatment and advice
Treatment
Treatment is simple and painless. Your GP or sexual health clinic will give you antibiotics to take for the infection.
Sexual partner notification
If your test is positive, you should let your GP or the clinic know the name and address of recent sexual partners. This will help us make sure they get tested or treated to stop the infection from spreading.