Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Chlamydia treatment

When will treatment for chlamydia start?

Sometimes you will be treated straight away, without waiting for the result of a chlamydia test, for example if your partner is known to have an infection.

A health adviser or nurse will speak to you a few weeks after treatment to check that everything is okay. This is usually done by calling your mobile phone at a time that suits you.

You should attend the clinic again after 3 to 12 months, to be re-tested for chlamydia.

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Important points about chlamydia treatment

Your doctor, nurse or sexual health adviser will discuss the following important points with you:

• you will probably be given an antibiotic to take in a single dose, all at once
• antibiotics can interfere with the oral contraceptive pill and contraceptive patches
• your current and previous partner(s) will be asked to attend for a check-up and to receive treatment
• do not have sex even with condoms until 1 week after both you and your partner have finished the treatment
• you should be retested again after 3 to 12 months and 6 to 12 months, to make sure you don't have chlamydia. This can be done at a sexual health service or by your GP

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Avoiding chlamydia infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia can pass from one person to another through unprotected sex and sharing sex toys. You don’t need to have lots of sexual partners to get an STI.

Safer sex involves using condoms or other protective barriers every time you have sex, and being careful to use and change condoms when sharing sex toys.

If you don’t use a condom you are more at risk of getting an infection and of passing one on to your partner.

Read more about better, safer sex

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