I Had Sex With Someone Infected With Chlamydia, What Shall I Do?

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK, with around 200,000 new cases reported each year. With so many people carrying the condition, there is a real chance many of us may come into contact with it at some stage during our lives.

Unfortunately, chlamydia can show no symptoms and often people only find out about it when they are contacted by a previous (or current) sexual partner. So, what should you do if you have sex with someone infected with chlamydia?

The first thing to do if you’ve been told by your sexual partner that they may have infected you with chlamydia is to get tested. This will inform you if you have become infected and allow you to proceed with the next steps. If you test positive, you’ll be given a course of antibiotics, and you should avoid sex for 7 days after to prevent re-infection.

Read on to find out more about what you should do after having sex with someone infected with chlamydia from Your Sexual Health.

What Do I Do If I Had Sex With Someone Infected With Chlamydia?

If you’ve been told by a sexual partner that you may have chlamydia, the first thing to do is get tested. There are a range of chlamydia tests available, both accessible on the NHS and at private testing companies such as Your Sexual Health. You can also choose whether to visit a clinic or get tested in the comfort of your home with a home chlamydia test kit.

Our at-home testing kits from Your Sexual Health are quick, discreet and designed to be taken in the comfort of your home. You then deposit your sample, and our laboratory will analyse it before giving you your results. Unlike many at-home STD tests, such as those found on online marketplaces, our results offer the same accuracy as clinic testing. Once you receive your results, you can use them to proceed with treatment with your GP or our partner medical organisation.

Should I Get Tested For Chlamydia If I Have No Symptoms?

If you’ve had sex in the past 6 months with someone who has chlamydia, or you are exhibiting only one of the many symptoms of chlamydia, it would be your safest option to get tested. 

If you’ve recently had unprotected sex, even if you’ve shown no symptoms of chlamydia, you should never assume that you don’t have it. Around 70% of women and 50% of men show no symptoms of the condition after they’re infected, and the only way to know for sure is by getting tested. The symptomless nature of chlamydia is one of the main reasons that it is spread so easily.

Find out more in this blog: Are there any STDs with no symptoms?

What Treatment Is There For a Chlamydia Infection?

The good news is chlamydia is 100% treatable and if caught early, it will have no lasting health implications. If you’ve tested positive, chlamydia treatment will usually be in the form of antibiotics taken in either one sitting or over a week. Once you’ve taken your medication, you should abstain from sex for at least a week after you’ve completed your antibiotics. A test to confirm that you are cured is usually recommended two weeks following your treatment.

It’s very rare to be able to obtain a prescription for chlamydia medication without getting tested. It’s also dangerous to do so as it may cause bacteria in your body to build up a tolerance to antibiotics, making them less effective in the future.

We explain the different stages of treatment in this useful blog: How do you treat chlamydia?

Should I Get Tested If We Used A Condom?

Yes. Although condoms significantly reduce your chances of contracting chlamydia by as much as 98%, there’s still a chance that you may have caught it. The only way to know you’re clear is by taking an STI test.

Should I Be Worried If I Caught Chlamydia From My Current Partner?

If your partner has told you that they have chlamydia, you must remain calm. Chlamydia is not always a result of one person cheating. On many occasions, the only thing someone is guilty of is not getting tested before you begin your relationship. This is often the case in new relationships where one person didn’t get tested before you started sleeping together.

Chlamydia can go months and often years without being diagnosed, so unless you receive regular tests, there’s no way of pinpointing the exact point that you’ve been infected. If you test positive, your GP or a public health worker will be able to offer you advice that will help your relationship following chlamydia.

How To Avoid Catching a Chlamydia Infection In The Future?

The easiest way to prevent the spread of chlamydia infection during sex is by wearing a condom when having sex with a new sexual partner. You should always wear a condom during sex until both people in a relationship have had the opportunity to get tested. Remember, just like many other STIs, chlamydia shows no symptoms, and it’s always wise to undergo a regular sexual health screen to know for sure that you’re all clear.

Chlamydia Testing At Your Sexual Health

Your Sexual Health has a wide range of private chlamydia tests, including home visits and postal tests. Our service is entirely confidential and designed with your convenience in mind. Simply book your test of choice, and we’ll do the rest. Contact our customer service team for further information.