If you don't have symptoms, you don't need to get tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Routine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea among PrEP users – and others – is being discontinued.

When widespread screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea was introduced, it was based on the assumption that it would lead to a decrease in cases. However, several studies have disproven this assumption. In fact, the evidence shows that the incidence of these diseases is primarily related to the frequency of testing.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea without symptoms

Key points:

• Many people with chlamydia/gonorrhea without symptoms (asymptomatic infection) will heal themselves without treatment. This means that some people have chlamydia/gonorrhea for a short period of time and the infection goes away on its own. These people do not require treatment.
• The tests used today to detect chlamydia/gonorrhea are very sensitive and will often be positive even if the infection is gone.
• If chlamydia/gonorrhea is asymptomatic, there is very little risk of developing complications (such as genital infections).
• If a person is tested and treated for chlamydia or gonorrhea without having the infection, they will end up taking antibiotics unnecessarily. This can be harmful to the person's health.
• If antibiotics are used too often or unnecessarily, bacteria can become resistant to treatment, meaning they no longer respond to standard antibiotics. This can make future infections more difficult to treat.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea with symptoms

It is recommended that you be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea if you have symptoms (e.g. pain when urinating, abnormal discharge or pain in the lower abdomen). A urine sample and swabs from your rectum and throat will be taken. 

If an infection is found, antibiotic treatment will be indicated.

Tracing the infection

If you have had sex with someone who is subsequently diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea, you should only be tested if you have symptoms - for the same reasons as above.

Talk to your nurse or doctor if you have any doubts or questions about testing for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.