Pharmacy Services
Chlamydia screening and treatment
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex or believe you may have chlamydia we can provide a private and confidential testing service.
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex or believe you may have chlamydia we can provide a private and confidential testing service.
Private and confidential chlamydia screening and treatment service
Have you recently had unprotected sex or believe that you may have chlamydia?
Pop in for a painless, simple chlamydia test. Our service is strictly private and confidential and can help you detect and treat chlamydia early.
Visit your local Whitworth Pharmacy to get tested for chlamydia today.
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. It can lead to serious complications if left untreated which include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility.
Most people do not experience any symptoms, which makes regular chlamydia testing so important. However, it is usually easy to detect with a simple urine test or swab and a course of antibiotics to reduce the risk of complications, if necessary.
If you live in England, are under 25 and are sexually active you can have free testing and treatment for chlamydia via the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP). If you are over 25 and are experiencing symptoms, we can still help. Pop into your local Whitworth to find out more.
Although most people with chlamydia often do not experience any symptoms, some do notice;
An unusual discharge from the genitals or bottom
Pain when weeing
In women; bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods and tummy pain
In men; swelling and pain in the testicles
If you are concerned about your symptoms or have recently had unprotected sex, it is important to be tested for chlamydia to prevent potential health complications.
If you are suffering from chlamydia, you will be treated with antibiotics. This may be a one-day treatment, or you may be given a course of antibiotics that you need to take over a week. Treatment may require a referral and more details will be provided to you when you visit the pharmacy.
You should not have sex until you have finished treatment, or if you have had the one-day antibiotic, for a week. This is to protect your sexual partner from catching chlamydia too.
You should also be tested again in three months as you are at an increased risk of catching it again. You will also need to inform your sexual partner(s) of your test result as they may also need to be tested, and treated.
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When you pop into your local Whitworth, the pharmacist will take you into a private consultation room.
They will then provide you with a chlamydia testing kit and give you full instructions on how to use it. They will also explain how to return it for testing and what will happen when you receive the results.
The test is done with a simple urine test or a vaginal swab and you do not need to be physically examined by a doctor or nurse.
You should receive your results within 7-10 days. If you test positive, you will be given treatment. However, if you are experiencing symptoms, you may be offered treatment before you receive your results.
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How much does chlamydia screening cost?
Chlamydia screening is free for those under 25 years old where there is a commissioned service from your local authority to pharmacy.
Is chlamydia only caught via intercourse?
Anyone who is not using a barrier method of contraception such as condoms is at risk of catching chlamydia, even if no penetration took place. You can also catch it via oral sex, genital contact and sharing sex toys.
Do I need to tell my partner if I test positive?
Yes, to help prevent the spread of chlamydia, you should tell your current or recent sexual partner and encourage them to be tested and treated too.
If you’ve recently had unprotected sex and are worried about the risk of chlamydia our screening and treatment service can help. It’s free for those under 25 as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, but if you’re over 25 we can still help. Pop into your local Whitworth to find out more.