Chlamydia

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are sexually transmitted infections (STI) which are passed from one person to another during sexual contact. Anyone who is sexually active can get them and pass them on. You don’t need to have lots of sexual partners to get Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. The highest rates of STI infection in the UK are found in people aged under 25. They can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Chlamydia can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.

There are frequently no symptoms of Chlamydia and there are sometimes no symptoms of Gonorrhoea. If you have symptoms they could include:

A change in vaginal discharge or discharge from the penis.

Pain/burning when peeing or when having sex. Bleeding after sex or between periods. Pelvic pain (for women) or painful testicles (for men). If you have any of these symptoms go to a sexual health clinic or see your GP ASAP.

The only way to know if you have either of these infections is to have a test.

A Chlamydia test is a simple test that you can do yourself. There is no need to be examined or to see a doctor. Men need to do a urine sample and women take a vaginal swab themselves.

Getting a test is simple. If you are in the 15 to 24 age group please call us on our freephone number 0808 1681 28 or order a home testing pack from freetest.me and we will send you a test through the post for you to do at home and return to us. A school nurse, youth centres, some pharmacies and sexual health clinics offer tests too.

You should receive your result by text within 2 weeks of us receiving your sample

Don’t worry! Both infections are curable with antibiotics. Treatment is simple and free.

Having a Chlamydia test is entirely confidential. The only people who know that you have had the test are yourself and the Chlamydia Free Team. There is no need to tell your GP.

You can get a Chlamydia test at any sexual health clinic or from your GP surgery. Our local sexual health service is at Avenue House, Eastbourne, or Station Plaza Clinic in Hastings,.