Yes, you can – two types of services can offer free chlamydia testing, your GP and a sexual health clinic (also known as a genitourinary medicine or GUM clinic). Getting tested is a simple process. Make an appointment with your GP practice or a sexual health clinic
Full Answer
Who can get tested for chlamydia on the NHS?
Who is eligible? – any UK resident can get tested for chlamydia on the NHS for free. For people under the age of 16 – there might be other issues that you are worried about. If you want a chlamydia test and you can show that you understand what this treatment involves, a doctor is not obliged to share this information with your parents.
Can I buy a chlamydia Test at Superdrug?
Our service – at Superdrug Online Doctor, you can buy a range of chlamydia test kits which comes in a discreet packaging and includes a prepaid envelope for you to send to our partner laboratory. These include: The chlamydia test itself is exactly the same whether you buy a home test kit or get tested in a clinic. How important is it to get tested?
Where can I buy a chlamydia test kit online?
Our service – at Superdrug Online Doctor, you can buy a range of chlamydia test kits which comes in a discreet packaging and includes a prepaid envelope for you to send to our partner laboratory. These include: The chlamydia test itself is exactly the same whether you buy a home test kit or get tested in a clinic.
Should I use a swab or a urine test for chlamydia?
Many healthcare professionals prefer to use cervical samples, as they have historically been thought to provide more accurate results. That said, if you are less likely to get a chlamydia test if it requires a swab, ask for a urine test. It may not be quite as reliable as a swab, but it's still a very good test.
Is STD testing free in Arizona?
The $20 fee at the Maricopa County STD Clinic includes testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. Between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., a rapid HIV test is offered with results available in about an hour. A fee of $20 will be requested at all visits.
Does local health department test for STDS?
Almost all local health departments will test for: gonorrhea. chlamydia. syphilis.
Does Planned Parenthood do free STD testing?
Some Planned Parenthood health centers can provide STD testing for free, and can help you get health care that you can afford. And many Planned Parenthood health centers provide services on a sliding scale. This means that you may get free or low-cost STD testing, depending on your income.
How can I cure an STD without going to the doctor?
There is no proven alternative therapy to treating an STI. Treatment is testing and antibiotics. The most effective complementary treatments of STIs — that is, those that that go along with standard medical treatment — involve prevention and patient counseling.
How to find a STD clinic near me?
Be sure to ask about getting tested for HIV, too. To find an STD clinic near you: Enter your ZIP code to find a local testing site . Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
When there are symptoms, chlamydia and gonorrhea cause very similar things. Women with symptoms may have: Abnormal discharge (fluid) from the vagina. Burning when they urinate (pee) Bleeding between periods. Men with symptoms may have: Abnormal discharge from the penis.
Can gonorrhea and chlamydia be cured?
Yes. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can both be cured with the right treatment. If these STDs aren’t treated, they can cause serious health problems, like making it difficult or impossible for a woman to get pregnant. If you have an STD, it’s important to get treatment right away.
Can a doctor test for gonorrhea?
A doctor or nurse can test your urine for both chlamydia and gonorrhea. Sometimes, the doctor might take a sample from the vagina, penis, rectum, or throat instead. The test is easy and painless. Get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea if you're at risk. Talk with your partner about getting tested, too.
Does Medicare cover STD testing?
Medicare may also cover some STD testing and counseling at no cost for people who are at risk. Learn about Medicare coverage for STD testing and counseling. If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able to get free or low-cost STD testing. Use this resource to find free testing near you.
What is a good test for chlamydia?
A test that is positive almost always means the problem is there and is unlikely to be a false-positive test result. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is an example of a nucleic acid amplification test. This test can also be done on a urine sample.
What is a chlamydia test?
Test Overview. Chlamydia tests use a sample of body fluid or urine to see whether chlamydia bacteria ( Chlamydia trachomatis) are present and causing an infection. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are used to find chlamydia infection.
How long should I wait to urinate before chlamydia test?
If your test is being done on a urine sample, do not urinate for at least 1 hour before the sample is collected.
How long does it take to get tested for chlamydia?
If you have chlamydia, all of your sex partners from the last 60 days should be tested and treated. And you may need to have tests for other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Where to collect urine sample?
In a direct sample, a sample of body fluid is taken from the affected area. These areas may include the cervix, vagina, rectum, throat, or eyes. Your doctor may use a swab to collect the sample.
Can chlamydia cause symptoms?
A chlamydia infection doesn't always cause symptoms. Retest people several months after they have been treated for chlamydia. Check for infection in your newborn if you had a chlamydia infection at the time of delivery. Learn more.
Can you collect urine from the cervix?
There is no chance for problems in collecting a urine sample. There is very little chance of problems when collecting a sample of fluid from the cervix, vagina, rectum, eyes, or throat. No chlamydia antigens or DNA are found.
What is the best test for chlamydia?
Endocervical swab (in people with vaginas) Vaginal swab (in people with vaginas) Rectal swab. Oral swab. Some physicians tend to prefer swab testing, as urine specimens are seen as slightly less reliable when testing for chlamydia, though it is still an effective test.
How many sexual encounters with chlamydia?
Know that chlamydia is extremely common and found in people from all walks of life. It only takes one sexual encounter with one person who carries the bacteria to develop the infection. If asking your healthcare practitioner for the test is hard for you, consider others' strategies for broaching the subject.
How long does it take for chlamydia to incubate?
At least one week after exposure. But it's important to note that the incubation period of chlamydia bacteria ( Chlamydia trachomatis) can vary depending on how quickly the bacteria reproduce, how much bacteria you were exposed to, and where on the body you came into contact with the bacteria.
How long after chlamydia treatment can you get retested?
Getting re-tested about three months after treatment for chlamydia is recommended for both men and women, even those who know their partners were also treated. 10 .
What is the most common test for a woman?
Common Tests. The most common tests are nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). These can be run on a: 2 . Urine specimen. Urethral swab (men) Endocervical swab (women) Vaginal swab (women) Physicians and clinics differ in which tests they prefer. It is possible to test for chlamydia on a urine sample.
Can chlamydia be diagnosed with lab tests?
We mention self-checks only to emphasize that chlamydia can only be properly diagnosed in the clinic with specific lab tests. You may look up the symptoms of chlamydia, and they are good to be aware of. But there is considerable overlap between them and those of other medical conditions.
Can chlamydia cause infertility?
Despite this, chlamydia can cause complications that can ultimately lead to infertility and other concerns . 1 Unfortunately, there isn't a home test you can use to detect it, and the symptoms of chlamydia aren't considered proof of infection.
How to prevent chlamydia?
If you're expecting a baby, speak with your healthcare provider for more information about chlamydia and gonorrhea test options. Practicing safe sexual intercourse methods can help prevent the spread of many STIs, including chlamydia . Using condoms can reduce your risk of contracting the infection.
Why is it important to test for chlamydia?
Because people with chlamydia don’t always have symptoms, it’s important to test for STIs (with a gonorrhea and chlamydia home test kit, for example) to know your status. (Read more on how to test for STDs, including where to get an at-home STD test and the sample types that are used.)
How does chlamydia spread?
Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria [ 2 ], which spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sex. Both men and women can be infected with chlamydia. Many people confuse chlamydia with a gonorrhea infection. Both infections are caused by bacteria and are spread through sexual contact. The Everlywell at-home test checks ...
Why is it important to get tested for STI?
Routine STI tests are important for anyone who is sexually active. If you are experiencing symptoms of gonorrhea or chlamydia, it may be a good idea to get tested as soon as possible (and speak with your healthcare provider). Many people put off getting tested until they develop symptoms.
Can you test for chlamydia at home?
In fact, you can use a urine sample to test for chlamydia at home. With the Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you simply urinate in a collection cup and place your urine specimen in the mail. Your sample is then tested in a CLIA-certified laboratory.
Can a blood test show if you have chlamydia?
While chlamydia isn't a bloodborne disease, blood tests can determine whether you have chlamydia antibodies, which can reveal current or past chlamydia infections. A penile or vaginal swab is another method your healthcare provider may use to test for STIs. For this type of test, your doctor uses a cotton swab for specimen collection.
Can you have more than one test for chlamydia?
A panel might require a blood sample, genital swab, or urine sample. While chlamydia isn't a bloodborne disease, blood tests can determine whether you have chlamydia antibodies, ...
How old do you have to be to get chlamydia tested?
Diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends chlamydia screening for: Sexually active women age 25 or younger. The rate of chlamydia infection is highest in this group, so a yearly screening test is recommended.
What is the test for chlamydia?
Tests include: A urine test. A sample of your urine is analyzed in the laboratory for presence of this infection. A swab. For women, your doctor takes a swab of the discharge from your cervix for culture or antigen testing for chlamydia. This can be done during a routine Pap test.
How long does it take for chlamydia to go away?
Chlamydia trachomatis is treated with antibiotics. You might receive a one-time dose, or you might need to take the medication daily or multiple times a day for five to 10 days. In most cases, the infection resolves within one to two weeks. During that time, you should abstain from sex.
Can a doctor swab your penis?
Some women prefer to swab their vaginas themselves, which has been shown to be as diagnostic as doctor-obtained swabs. For men, your doctor inserts a slim swab into the end of your penis to get a sample from the urethra. In some cases, your doctor will swab the anus.
Can chlamydia be passed back and forth?
Otherwise, the infection can be passed back and forth between sexual partners. Having chlamydia or having been treated for it in the past doesn't prevent you from getting it again.
How to treat chlamydia?
If you’re getting treated for chlamydia: Take all of your medicine the way your doctor tells you to, even if the symptoms go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you finish the antibiotics. Your partner (s) should also get treated for chlamydia so you don’t re-infect each other or anyone else. Don’t have sex for 7 days.
What happens if you don't treat chlamydia?
Your sexual partners need to be treated too. If you don’t treat chlamydia, it can lead to serious problems. X in a circle.
How long does chlamydia last?
Sometimes you only have to take one dose of medication. Another chlamydia treatment lasts for 7 days. Your doctor will help you figure out which treatment is best for you.
Can chlamydia spread to fallopian tubes?
Even though chlamydia is common and doesn’t always cause any symptoms, it can become a big deal if it’s not caught and treated early. Chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Can you get chlamydia again?
Even if you finish your treatment and the chlamydia is totally gone, it’s possible to get a new chlamydia infection again if you’re exposed in the future. Chlamydia isn’t a one-time-only deal. So use condoms and get tested regularly.
Can you pass chlamydia to a baby?
If you have chlamydia during your pregnancy and don’t treat it, you can pass it to your baby when you’re giving birth . Chlamydia can cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns, and it also increases the risk of delivering your baby too early.
Can chlamydia be passed back and forth?
Your doctor will help you figure out which treatment is best for you. If you’re treated for chlamydia, it’s really important for your sexual partners to get treated also. Otherwise, you can keep passing the infection back and forth, or to other people. Sometimes your doctor will give you medicine for both you and your partner.
How to test for chlamydia?
To test for chlamydia, men are asked to give a urine sample. To test for chlamydia, women are asked to give a swab (a long cotton bud which is rubbed inside the vagina) The sample is sent to the lab to see whether a chlamydia infection can be found.
Can a sexual health clinic share your medical records?
Also, sexual health clinics cannot share your medical records with your GP without your permission. If you are worried about testing – you can make an appointment to speak to a GP about it. They can advise you on the best course of action, answer any questions you might have, or provide some reassurance. Back to top.
Can you do a chlamydia test twice?
Being on your period also should not make the result of the test less accurate. If you are worried about a false result – you can do the chlamydia test twice. If you get two results that are the same, then the result is almost guaranteed to be accurate.
Is a free chlamydia test as reliable as a paid test?
Are free chlamydia tests as reliable as paid ones? Yes, if they're done correctly – free tests are a safe and reliable method of testing as long as they are carried out properly . In fact, the free test kits in clinics and the paid home test kits are exactly the same.
Can chlamydia come back negative?
If you have a test come back negative, you might need further investigations which can only be done by a doctor. Back to top. Back to top.
Can you have a different STI but it isn't chlamydia?
It’s a very serious global health problem. You could have a different STI – it could be that you do have an STI but it isn't chlamydia. Testing negative for chlamydia could mean you need to consider other STIs, or you can tested for more than 1 STI at once, using a extended STI test kit for example.
Can you avoid a chlamydia test?
Yes, don't avoid it – you shouldn’t avoid testing just because it’s a hassle or you don’t want to pay for a home test kit. A lot of people who have a chlamydia infection don’t get any symptoms at all. However, if this is left untreated, you can develop long-term complications. These complications include:
Self-Checks
Labs and Tests
- There are a few different tests to look for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium that causes this STI. These tests can be performed if you have symptoms or as a routine screening if you are sexually active. The most common tests are nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). These can be run on a:2 1. Urine specimen 2. Urethral swab ...
Guidelines
- It's currently recommended that sexually active people with a vagina and uterus younger than 25 have yearly screenings for chlamydia. This can be done at the same time as the yearly Pap smear. More frequent screening may be advisable for adolescents. For people with a vagina 25 and older, yearly screenings should be done for those at an increased risk, such as those who h…
Requesting Testing
- There are a number of reasons why healthcare providers fail to test for STIsand why you may need to initiate the discussion and request testing yourself. Even with screening guidelines in place, many cases go untested and undetected. Make sure to request a chlamydia test, especially if one of your partners has been diagnosed with an STI, or if you are sexually active outside of a …
Results and Follow-Ups
- If you do get a positive test result, it's important to talk to any sexual partners you've had in the past two months and suggest that they see a healthcare provider for testing and treatment. As with any form of lab tests, there is the potential for errors. Even though the sensitivity of chlamydia tests used today is good, they may still miss infections (what's known as a false-negative result).…
Differential Diagnosis
- Vaginal discharge has many causes, ranging from bacterial vaginosis (BV) to yeast infections to chlamydia to hormonal changes. Likewise, there is a wide range of conditions that can cause pain with intercourse, bleeding between periods or during intercourse, and more. For all people, pain and burning with urination can have many possible causes, including bladder infectionsand othe…