5 minutes read5 minutes readSummary:
- No, you will not definitely have it, but you could, and most people with Chlamydia have no symptoms to tell them either way.
- If you first had sex with your partner more than 14 days ago, you can test straight away. If it was less than 14 days ago, wait until 14 days have passed since that first time.
- If you both have it and only one of you is treated, it can pass back and forth between you, so you both need treatment at the same time.
Your partner has just told you they have Chlamydia, and the first thing you want to know is whether you have it too. The answer is less tidy than a plain yes or no.
No, it is not certain that you have it. Chlamydia is spread through vaginal fluid and semen, so sex with someone who has it can pass it on, but it does not happen every time. The honest answer is that you may well have it, you may not, and a test is the only way to know.
Why can't I just go by how I feel?
Because Chlamydia is very often silent. The NHS says most people who have it do not have any symptoms.
So feeling fine tells you very little. Your partner may well have had no symptoms either, and may only have found out through a test or because a previous partner told them.
If symptoms do show up, these are the ones to look out for:
- A burning feeling when you pee
- Vaginal discharge that is not normal for you, or bleeding after sex or between periods
- White, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
- Pain or swelling in the testicles, or pain in the lower tummy
- Pain, bleeding or discharge from your bottom, or a sore throat, if those areas were involved
Any of these is a reason to see a doctor and get tested, but none of them proves you have Chlamydia, because plenty of other things can cause them.
When should I test?
It depends on when you first had sex with your partner. The wait before a test works is called the incubation period, and for our Chlamydia tests it is 14 days.
- If your first time together was more than 14 days ago, there is no need to wait: you can book your test now. Enough time has passed since you could first have caught it for a test to pick it up.
- If you first had sex with them within the last 14 days, wait until 14 days have passed. Those 14 days start from the first time you had sex with them, so the day they told you does not come into it.
Testing too early can give a result that looks reassuring but is not the full picture. A laboratory test is reliable for sex that happened at least 14 days before it. If you have had other partners too, mention it when you book and our Patient Care Team can help you choose the right test.
Which sample you give depends on the sex you have had. A urine test covers the genitals, a throat swab is for you if you have given oral sex, and a rectal swab is for you if you have received anal sex. Each of these tests for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea together. We go through the timing in more detail in when can you test for Chlamydia.
If you would like your result before you leave one of our clinics in the UK, Ireland, South Africa or Spain, the Instant Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Screen gives results in under 30 minutes. It uses a genital swab, so it does not test the throat or rectum. It is less sensitive than a laboratory (PCR) test, especially if you have no symptoms, so a negative result is best confirmed with a laboratory test.
Why do we both need treatment?
Chlamydia is treated with a short course of antibiotics. The reason both of you need it is simple: if only your partner is treated and you have it, you can pass it straight back to them. The same goes the other way round.
The NHS advises avoiding vaginal, anal or oral sex until you and your partner have finished treatment. Following this advice is the quickest way to stop the infection going round in circles.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) points to the same problem in its 2025 report for England. It says possible reasons for repeat infections include untreated sexual partners and people not completing the course of treatment.
Should you test positive, you will have a consultation and we will help with treatment. Take the whole course even if you feel well. If you finish it and any symptoms have gone, you do not usually need another test to check it has worked. If you would like one anyway, it is at least 3 weeks after finishing treatment. Symptoms that carry on after treatment are a reason to see a doctor rather than to test again early.
Does a positive result mean someone cheated?
No. Chlamydia so often causes no symptoms that it can go unnoticed, so either of you could have caught it in a past relationship. Our post on catching Chlamydia without cheating explains this more fully. If you test positive and need to tell a partner yourself, how to tell your partner about a positive result may help.
You are far from alone
If this feels awkward, it may help to know how common it is. UKHSA reports that Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI in England in 2025, with 151,163 cases making up 45.2% of all new STI diagnoses. These figures are for England only, and other countries will differ. Testing for it is just as ordinary: about 7 in 10 of the bookings we receive include a Chlamydia test, almost always alongside Gonorrhoea.
What if I test negative, but my partner has it?
A negative result covers any sex you had with them more than 14 days before your test. If you have had sex with them in the 14 days before the test, a negative result does not cover that time, so test again 14 days after the last time you had sex with them. In the meantime, hold off on sex with your partner until they have finished treatment.
Don’t forget that a negative urine test does not rule out an infection in your throat or rectum. If you gave your partner oral sex or received anal sex, a urine test alone could miss it, so make sure you test the right part of your body.
Having had Chlamydia once does not protect you from catching it again, as we explain in am I now immune after Chlamydia.
Booking your test
For the laboratory tests, results come back within 2 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory, and you will find them in your secure online portal. Our testing is confidential, and our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955 if you want to talk through which sample suits you. Phone numbers differ by country, so use the one on the website for your country.
Knowing is better than wondering, and it takes the guesswork out for both of you.
Chlamydia from a partner is common and often silent, and a short course of antibiotics treats it once it is found. Protect your sexual health by booking the Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (Urine) test with Better2Know today.
Sources
- NHS. Chlamydia. Page last reviewed 24 October 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/
- UK Health Security Agency. Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England: 2025 report. June 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-annual-data-tables/sexually-transmitted-infections-and-screening-for-chlamydia-in-england-2025-report
Medical review. This article was medically reviewed by Dr Steve Chapman, a doctor with a wealth of clinical experience in the field of STIs, on 9 November 2026. Better2Know content is reviewed for clinical accuracy before publication and updated when guidance or surveillance data changes. It is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.
