Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK. It's most common in men and women under 25 years old. Chlamydia is known as the 'silent' infection because most people who have it show no symptoms. Without a test you probably won't know that anything is wrong.

Why is it important to get tested?
It's important to get tested for chlamydia because:

• most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, so you probably won't know if you or your partner(s) have it unless you have a test
• chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK
• untreated chlamydia can have serious long-term health effects, and may lead to infertility (being unable to have children).
• If you're sexually active and under 25 years old, you should be tested for chlamydia once a year, and when you change your sexual partner.

If you're under 25 years old you can get a free and confidential chlamydia test through the NHS National Chlamydia Screening Programme.

What does the test involve?
The test is free, simple, painless and confidential. You can do the test yourself and you don't need to be examined.

How is chlamydia treated?
The most common treatment for chlamydia is a course of antibiotics. 

We actively encourage under 25s to be screened for chlamydia.

For further information please visit www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk.