Chlamydia testing kit

About our serviceHow will I receive my order?Your order will be delivered to you via Royal Mail next-day tracked delivery in discreet packaging.What is discreet packaging?All orders are secured inside plain packaging, which provides no indication of what it contains or its origin.The test kit is sealed in a plain box, fastened together with a sticker. The box is then put in a plain, opaque, grey bag. The only information on the bag is your name and address, which you provide us.Are the home tests accurate?Our STI tests are the same ones used by clinics and doctors, and are very accurate.Are my results sent to my GP?We will not send your results to your GP without your consent.Who supplies our tests? (Laboratory)Our tests are supplied by TDL Pathology.Will I need a prescription?No, you do not need a prescription or referral to order a testing kit from our website.How does the service work?You order a testing kit from our website, and we deliver it to you in the mail.You provide the necessary samples and post them to our partner lab, using the included free postage envelope.The laboratory receives the samples and tests them.Your results are made available through your online Prescription Doctor account. Only you have access to this information.Collecting your sampleWhat should I do if I use up all the lancets?If you use up all the lancets while attempting to draw blood from your fingers, please call the number at the bottom of the instructions to get in touch with the laboratory.They will be able to assist you with what you should do next.What should I do with the used lancets?Place the used lancets back in the box and mail them back to the laboratory. They will be able to dispose of them safely on your behalf.Do not dispose of lancets in your household waste.What should I do with any remaining lancets?Place the unused lancets back in the box and mail them back to the laboratory.Do not throw away any lancets in your household waste.Does alcohol consumption affect the test?Yes, alcohol can cause dehydration, which can make collecting samples of blood and urine difficult.You should avoid drinking alcohol before taking the test.How do I collect my urine sample?Make the urine collection box by squeezing the indicated sides.Begin peeing into the box. Once the box is halfway full, continue urinating into the toilet.Pour the urine from the sample box into the provided vial until it is three-quarters full. Discard any remaining urine down the toilet and throw away the sample collection box.Affix the cap to the vial and seal it inside the provided plastic wallet.Place the plastic wallet back into the box and seal the entire contents inside the prepaid envelope. Post it at your earliest convenience.How much urine is required?You only need to fill the tube 3/4 of the way to provide an adequate sample.What is the best time to collect a urine sample?For the most accurate results, you should take your urine test first thing in the morning.How do I collect my blood sample?Clean the finger with one of the provided alcotip swabs.Remove the cap from one of the lancets and press the end firmly against the side of your fingertip. Apply pressure to the needle to prick your finger.Wipe away the first drop of blood from your finger.Holding your finger above the collection vial, gently milk the blood out of your finger. Do not squeeze the area around the site of the incision.Fill the vial up to the marked line and affix the plastic cap.Gently invert the vial 5 to 10 times to mix the blood.What should I do if I am struggling to collect my blood sample?If you have trouble drawing enough blood to provide an adequate sample, there are several steps you can take:Run your hand under warm waterWarm water can promote blood flow and soften hardened skin on your fingertips, making it easier to collect the sample.
Stand up straightStanding up with your arms by your side can encourage blood flow to your fingertips before taking your sample.
Point your finger downPosition your hand above the vial and point your finger down, allowing the blood to drip from your finger directly into the vial.
Milk your fingerRub from your knuckle to the point of incision. Avoid squeezing the incision point as this can cause the blood to clot.
Try different fingersThe best fingers to take blood samples from are the ring finger and pinkie finger. Use a new lancet for each sample.
Try changing the hand you draw blood fromIf you struggle to draw blood from your right hand, try drawing blood from your left hand. Use a new, unused lancet for each new sample.
Ask a friend or family member for assistanceYou can ask someone to assist you in collecting your blood sample. They can hold the blood vial or help massage the blood from your elbow down to your fingers.
 When is the best time to collect a blood sample?The best time to collect your blood sample is in the morning.How much blood is required?The amount of blood required is indicated by the fill line marked on the collection vial. You need to fill the vial to the marked line to ensure an accurate test result.Do I need to refrigerate my sample(s)?There is no need to store or refrigerate your sample(s).Once you have collected your sample(s), please post them to our partnered lab using the included free postage envelope at your earliest convenience.Sending your sample to the labWhen is the best time to send my results to the lab?Collect the sample on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and post it on the same day to ensure it reaches the lab before the weekend.Receiving your resultsWho should I contact if I have a problem?If you have any issues with your order, our friendly customer service team are on hand to help.How long will it take for my results to come through?Your results will be available 2 days after the lab receives your sample.How do I access my results?Your results will be made available to you via your Prescription Doctor account.What should I do if I receive a positive result?If you receive a positive test result, a member of our medical team will contact you with guidance on next steps.Who should I speak to about concerns with my results?If you have any concerns about the results you have received, contact our customer service team for assistance.General questions about getting tested for STIsShould I still get tested for STIs even if I have no symptoms?Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning that they do not cause any symptoms. The only way of knowing for certain whether you have an STI is by getting tested.It is recommended to get checked for STIs every time you change sexual partners. For high-risk individuals who are not in monogamous relationships, it's often recommended to get tested every 3 to 6 months.If you are experiencing any symptoms of an STI, or have reason to believe you have been exposed to an STI, you should get tested to determine your status.When should I take an STI test?You should get tested as soon as you can after exposure to a sexually transmitted infection.When should I retake a test or follow up?If you suspect a false positive or false negative, consider getting tested again.It is also important to retest after receiving treatment to ensure that the treatment has been effective and the infection has cleared.How is the home testing kit different from one from a clinic?The only difference between our home testing kit and a test performed at a clinic is that you are in control of the testing process.Our home testing kits allow you to conveniently test for STIs from the comfort of your own home at your own pace. Once you have collected your samples, you post them to our partnered lab at a time which suits you.

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can infect both men and women. It is caused by a bacterial infection called chlamydia trachomatis that is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected person.Through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme in 2018, more than 1.3m chlamydia tests were carried out among young people, aged between 15 and 24 years old. 134,418 people, equating to 10% of those tested, were diagnosed as positive. This represents a 2% increase in diagnoses between 2018 and 2019.What is a Chlamydia Test?A chlamydia test is used to determine if you have chlamydia bacteria, known as chlamydia trachomatis, in your body. Testing for chlamydia involves:A swab test - where a small cotton bud is wiped inside the vagina and/or anus.A urine sample needs to be collected at least one or two hours after you last urinated.If you have a high chance of having chlamydia, then you may be advised to start treatment even before you get the results. This is usually the case when:You or your partner has shown any symptoms of the infection.Your partner has already been diagnosed with chlamydia, and you have had unprotected sex or sexual contact.Chlamydia tests are free at doctors' surgeries, sexual health clinics and hospitals.If you don't have the time to go to a sexual health clinic, you can buy chlamydia testing kits online.At Prescription Doctor, we offer two different types of tests that specifically look for Chlamydia.The chlamydia home testing kit can be used by both men and women. The kit contains everything you need to acquire a sample and post it to our partnered laboratory, including a prepaid envelope. Mail your sample to our lab, and your results will be made available through your Prescription Doctor account within 72 hours of the lab receiving the sample.We also offer the SELFCheck Female Chlamydia Test, which provides results in 15 minutes. With the SELFCheck Female Chlamydia Test, you don't need to send a sample off to a lab. Each SELFCheck test comes with detailed instructions on how to use the test and interpret the results.If you are considering getting tested for chlamydia, bear in mind that the test will not tell you how long you have had it for. As the infection is asymptomatic, you could have had it for months or years without realising. Furthermore, depending on how many sexual encounters you have had, it is difficult to trace the infection back to one person.How is Chlamydia Treated?Fortunately, chlamydia is easy to treat with oral antibiotics. The two most commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia are:AzithromycinDoxycyclineIt can take up to one week for the antibiotics to take effect, and you will start to notice that your symptoms clear up during this time. While you are taking the antibiotics, you should avoid having sex or any sexual contact, as you could still be contagious; therefore, you could pass the infection to your partner.If any of the symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor for further guidance.When Should You Take a Chlamydia Test?It is crucial that you do not delay going for a test if you suspect you may have chlamydia. If you have had unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex, it is best you get yourself tested as soon as possible. Other reasons why you should think about getting tested for chlamydia include:You or your partner starts to show signs/symptoms of chlamydia.You or your partner has had unprotected sex with other people.You have had unprotected sex with a new partner.Your partner tells you they currently have an STI.You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.You notice a condom has split during sex.What Do The Test Results Mean?The results of the chlamydia test will typically be available within 7 to 10 days. You can expect either a:Positive test result – that means you are infected with chlamydia and will need antibiotics to treat it. You will need to let your current and any recent sexual partners know so that they can also be tested for chlamydia.Negative result – that means no STI was found, and no further action is required.How Serious is Chlamydia?If chlamydia is left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and potentially cause long-term health problems. Also, the more times you get chlamydia, the more likely you are to get further health complications. In women, the complications of chlamydia include:Pelvic inflammatory disease, a complication that causes scarring of the fallopian tubes.Fertility problems.In men, the complications include:The infection spreads to the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, causing painful inflammation.Reactive arthritis.How to Prevent Getting Chlamydia?The most effective way to prevent catching chlamydia is to abstain from all sexual activities. However, this is not realistic; therefore, aim to practice safe sex and take care of your sexual health by:Use condoms consistently - during all your sexual contact, always use a condom to help reduce the risk of infection, risk of pregnancy and the spread of STIs.Limit how many sexual partners you have – if you have multiple partners, it puts you at a high risk of contracting chlamydia as well as other STIs.Get yourself tested regularly – if you are sexually active, then get tested every year or when you change sexual partners.