References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
If a sexual partner has tested positive for chlamydia, the right next step is to get tested and treated yourself, even if you have no symptoms. Chlamydia is very common and often silent, so assuming you’re fine because you feel fine isn’t safe. The good news is that it’s easily treatable with a short course of antibiotics.
Here’s exactly what to do.
Order a discreet home STI test
Step-by-Step
- Don’t panic. Chlamydia is curable and common.
- Avoid sex until you’ve been tested and treated if needed.
- Contact a sexual health clinic or GP to arrange testing.
- Get tested — urine sample or self-swab is enough for most people.
- Consider epidemiological treatment — the clinic may offer to treat you before results are back.
- Get tested for other STIs while you’re there.
- Tell other partners from the last 6 months.
Should I Get Treated Before Test Results?
UK sexual health clinics often offer “epidemiological treatment” to partners of people with confirmed chlamydia. This means starting antibiotics straight away without waiting for your own test result. The reasoning is:
- Chlamydia is common enough that if your partner has it, you probably do too
- Treatment is safe and effective
- It stops onward transmission quickly
- You still get tested to confirm
Your clinic will discuss whether this is right for you.
What Testing Involves
- Urine sample (first-catch) for men
- Vaginal self-swab for women
- Throat and rectal swabs if you’ve had oral or anal sex
- Home test kits are an option if you prefer
Treatment
- Doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days — the standard first-line treatment
- Alternatives available for pregnancy, allergy or specific situations
- Avoid sex (including oral) for 7 days after starting treatment
- Complete the full course even if symptoms improve
What About Other STIs?
Chlamydia rarely travels alone. While getting tested, ask for a full STI screen including:
- Gonorrhoea
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B (and C if relevant)
- Mycoplasma genitalium if you have symptoms
Partner Notification
If you test positive, you’ll need to notify any other partners from the last 6 months so they can be tested and treated. Sexual health clinics offer confidential partner notification services — they can contact partners for you without revealing your name.
Preventing Future Chlamydia
- Use condoms consistently
- Regular STI screening (annually or more often with multiple partners)
- Treat partners at the same time you’re treated
- Retest 3 months later to catch any reinfection
Read more: What is chlamydia? | Sex during treatment | Home chlamydia tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just wait to see if I get symptoms?
No. Chlamydia is silent in most people. Waiting for symptoms risks complications and ongoing transmission.
Will my partner and I need separate prescriptions?
Yes. You each need your own prescription. Don’t share antibiotics.
How soon after exposure can I test?
1-2 weeks is reliable. If it’s been more than a week, you can test now.
Related reading
- Abnormal Genital Discharge and Chlamydia
- Can Mycoplasma Genitalium Be Cured?
- Can You Get Chlamydia From Kissing?
- Can You Have Chlamydia and Test Negative?
- Chlamydia and Gay Men: What to Know
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
