Be Chlamydia Aware – get yourself tested for chlamydia with a DIY kit from your local pharmacy today

Published: 12:46 PM January 10, 2011

Updated: 6:43 PM November 1, 2020

SEXUALLY active young people can opt for a free, confidential and simple DIY self test.

No examination is involved and requesting your test kit by text message couldn’t be easier, says chlamydia screening co-ordinator Louise Palmer at NHS West Essex.

“Just text the word KIT to 60155 with your name, age, address and sex for your free chlamydia testing kit, or pop into your local pharmacy for one,” advises Louise.

Those aged between 16 and 24 years are being urged to find out for themselves if they are the one in 10 with chlamydia. One of the fastest growing sexually-transmitted infections affecting this age group, there are often no signs or symptoms, so screening is all-important to detect it.

Untreated it can lead to further infections and infertility in males and females.

“Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean you don’t have it,” said Louise. “All 16 to 24-year-olds are advised to test annually or each time they have a new partner.

Test now and be sure you are not the one in 10.”