How soon after sex should I test for chlamydia?

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The window period for chlamydia is 7 to 14 days. This is the time between coming into contact with chlamydia and when the test is able to detect it. 

 

If a sexual partner has let you know that you may have come into contact with chlamydia, or if you have symptoms that sound similar to chlamydia, don’t freak out. But it is a good idea to see a doctor, as they might decide to give you medicine straight away. A great list of doctors to go to can be found here, or you can visit your local sexual health clinic. 

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How often should I test ​for chlamydia?

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Usually, testing every 3 to 12 months is appropriate, depending on how much sex you’re having. A good general rule is to test closer to every 3 months the more active you are.

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How does RAPID test for chlamydia?

 

RAPID uses a test that involves you collecting throat and rectal swabs and a urine sample. The test won’t work properly if you’ve passed urine within 60 minutes before collecting your sample. Usually, you’ll get your results by the next business day, sometimes the same day you come into the clinic.

 

The test looks for the chlamydia bacterium directly, so you don’t have to wait for your body to respond to it before you can test. But it will take about 7 to 14 days for there to be enough chlamydia in your body for it to be detected if you have recently come into contact with it.

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I’ve very recently taken medicine for chlamydia. How long should I wait to test to see if the medicine worked (test of cure)?

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Although the medicine will likely get rid of the chlamydia bacterium from your body, it can leave behind dead chlamydia cells. These dead cells can trick the test if you don’t give your body a chance to clear them. Because these dead cells are actually inside your cells, it usually takes your body a little longer to clear them. Therefore, it’s usually a good idea to wait at least 4 weeks after taking medicine before testing again to check if it worked.

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