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Chlamydia Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.

Answers to questions about chlamydia

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

How soon after having unprotected sex can I have a test for chlamydia?

You shouldn't delay in arranging to have a chlamydia test. You can have a test soon after you have had sex.

Explanation
If you have had unprotected sex and there is a chance that you may have got chlamydia, you should make an appointment to have a test as soon as possible. You can have a test for chlamydia even if you don't have any symptoms. Your doctor or nurse will be able to give you advice on when you can have the test.

Further information

Source

  • Chlamydia: Looking after your sexual health. The Family Planning Association. www.fpa.org.uk, accessed 17 Dec 2007

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Can chlamydia go away without treatment?

Although unlikely, chlamydia can clear up on its own but there are risks to leaving the infection untreated.

Explanation
If you have chlamydia and don't get treatment, you could pass the infection onto a sexual partner. Using condoms isn't a substitute for getting treatment. Using a condom will reduce your risk of passing on the infection, but it won't offer complete protection.

Chlamydia can cause health and fertility problems if it's left untreated.

For example, in women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which may increase your risk of infertility and complications during pregnancy.

In men, it can infect the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the tip of the penis) or the prostate gland (which makes the liquid part of semen) and may affect fertility. Untreated chlamydia can also cause a type of arthritis called sexually acquired reactive arthritis in some men and women. Please see the Complications section in the Chlamydia health factsheet for more information.

Further information

Sources

  • Pattman R, Snow M, Handy P, Sanker KN, Elawad B. Oxford Handbook of genitourinary medicine, HIV and AIDS. 1st edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Chlamydia - uncomplicated, genital (women). NHS library for health. Clinical knowledge summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed May 2006.
  • Urethritis - male. NHS library for health. Clinical knowledge summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed July 2006

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Do I need to have a test again when I have finished the treatment to check that the chlamydia infection has cleared up?

You won't usually need to have another chlamydia test after you have finished your treatment.

Explanation
If you take the treatment properly and you don't have sexual intercourse before you (and your partner if necessary) have completed the treatment, you won't usually need to have a follow-up test to check that the chlamydia infection has cleared up.

However, you should get tested for chlamydia again if:

  • you and your partner have had unprotected sex before both of you have completed your treatment
  • you have had unprotected sex with a new sexual partner
  • you don't complete your treatment or don't follow the instructions on how to take the treatment correctly
  • your symptoms don't go away, or you develop new symptoms of chlamydia

Further information

Sources

  • Pattman R, Snow M, Handy P, Sanker KN, Elawad B. Oxford Handbook of genitourinary medicine, HIV and AIDS. 1st edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Chlamydia: Looking after your sexual health. The Family Planning Association. www.fpa.org.uk, accessed 17 Dec 2007
  • Urethritis - male. NHS library for health. Clinical knowledge summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed July 2006

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Will I know how long I have had the infection?

It can be difficult to know how long you have had chlamydia for, particularly if you haven't had any symptoms.

Explanation
Because you can have a chlamydia infection without any symptoms it's possible to have chlamydia for months or even years without knowing. This can make it difficult to determine how long you have had chlamydia, particularly if you have had a number of sexual partners.

Further information

Sources

  • Pattman R, Snow M, Handy P, Sanker KN, Elawad B. Oxford Handbook of genitourinary medicine, HIV and AIDS. 1st edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005

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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. It has been patient reviewed by Terrence Higgins Trust. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: November 2008.

 

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