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Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK and rates are increasing. Chlamydia can be passed on by any form of sex (including oral sex) and most people (up to 50% of males and 70% of females) will have no obvious signs or symptoms, so will be totally unaware that they or their partner(s) have the infection without having a test.

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) is a control and prevention programme targeted at the highest risk group for Chlamydia infection in England - young people under 25 who are sexually active. The NCSP has found that approximately 1 in 14 young people under 25 years who are tested carry chlamydia. Chlamydia infection can be diagnosed easily (young people can do the test themselves), and treated effectively.

It is easy to test for chlamydia, usually by a simple urine test that is available in a wide range of healthcare and non-healthcare services and settings. It may be possible to test with self taken vaginal swabs and under 25s can get a free test as part of the NCSP.

Test results are delivered by letter, phone or by the most popular method - text messaging, usually taking between one to two weeks. For those testing positive, and their sexual partners, treatment is easily arranged at a convenient time and place, and usually just consists of four antibiotic tablets taken as a single dose, which is provided free by the screening programme.

The latest Yorscreen Chlamydia Newsletter is available here.

Please see the Sexual Health – Chlamydia Screening factsheet for more information.