• The new screening test for Chlamydia is simple and painless.
• Postal kits are available and can be requested via this website. 
  It is voluntary and free if you are aged 16-24 and live in Suffolk.
• No test is completely 100% accurate so occasionally it may give a false result
  and you will be asked to take another test.
• The test will only show whether you have Chlamydia and if you think you may
  have some thing else you will need to go to your nearest Sexual Health/GUM Clinic.

• Be responsible: look after your health and your partners and get tested.

The test for Women

• You can take your own low vaginal swab which is easier to insert than a tampon.
• You will be given instructions in your kit on how to take the swab.
• It is better that you don't do the swab when you are on a period.

• If you don't want to do a swab you can do a urine test.

The test for Men

• No unpleasant swabs just pee in a pot!
• You need to have avoided peeing for at least an hour before you give your sample.

How long does it take before I get the results?

After a swab or urine test is taken, the test is sent away for analysis. It can take seven to 10 days for the results to come through.

Are the tests accurate?

It is very rare for the chlamydia test to be wrong. If you are concerned discuss this when you get your results.

How do I get my results?

• You will usually receive your test results within 10 days of you taking the test.
• We can text your negative result to your mobile phone.
• All contact will be totally confidential.
• No test is 100% accurate so occasionally the test may give a false result and you may be asked to take another test.
• If your test result is positive you will be contacted by a nurse from the Chlamydia Screening Office (CSO).
• If you haven't received your test result within 10 days please contact the Chlamydia Screening Office on 01473 275228
• The site where you did your test will not have your test result.
• We will only contact your GP if your result is positive and we have been unable to contact you to arrange treatment

What happens to the information that I provide?

• You will be asked to fill in a form and you must give us your name and date of birth so we know who to contact with your results. (It is helpful if you can answer as many questions as possible on the form).
• It is important that we can contact you with your results. Please tell us how you would like to be contacted: mobile, text message, email or letter.
• All information that you give us is confidential and we will not tell anyone else about your personal information. We do keep all your details on a secure database and we do have to provide reports on the number of young people that have been screened but you would not be identified by name.
• We might occasionally have to contact a GP if someone has a positive result and has failed to get treatment or to attend another clinic.
• We don't have to tell your parents (please see FAQs section about under 16s).

If your test result is positive there will be a nurse that you can talk to and ask questions so please don't worry.

• The treatment is a simple course of antibiotics, usually 4 tablets taken at the same time
• If you are pregnant or not able to take these tablets, you may be given a longer course of antibiotics
• You do not have to pay for the treatment
• It is important that you take all the tablets that you have been given to make sure that infection is properly treated
• It is important that you also ask your sexual partner to attend for treatment so that you don't get re-infected
• It is important that you don't have sex (oral, vaginal or anal) for 7 days after both you and your partner have finished treatment so that the antibiotics have enough time to work
• Remember: antibiotics can sometimes stop the contraceptive pill from working so you will have to use additional protection such as condoms
• Please tell the nurse if you are pregnant or on other tablets or medicines
• If you are sick immediately after taking your treatment please contact the nurse as you may need to have some more treatment

Should I tell my partner?

If you have had sex (oral, vaginal or anal) with someone they may also have Chlamydia and it is important that they have a test and get treatment. It is important that ex-partners are also told to prevent them passing the infection onto a new partner.

What will happen if I don't tell my partner?

• You may become re-infected if you have sex with them again
• They may pass the infection on to someone else
• You could develop long term health problems such as pelvic infection or inflammation of the testicles which could lead to infertility (unable to have a baby)

How do I tell them?

• We understand that it might be difficult to talk about something so personal
• The nurse/health advisor will help you find the best way to approach your partner
• If you feel unable to talk to them, particularly if you have split up, then we can arrange to do this for you in a confidential way without mentioning your name

Remember: it is important that you don't have sex until you are both treated, not even with a condom. When you are given your treatment you will be told when it is safe to start having sex again.