Do I need to take a test?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend that you get screened annually for chlamydia and gonorrhea if you’re sexually active. People under the following circumstances should be tested:
- If you have a sexual partner who has an STI
- If you have a new sexual partner
- If you have more than one sexual partner
- If you have a sexual partner who has other partners
- If you practice inconsistent condom use when not in a mutually monogamous relationship
- If you have a previous or coexisting STI
- If you have a history of exchanging sex for money or drugs
What if I test positive?
If you have a positive test result, a nurse or other healthcare provider from Allegheny County Health Department will call you to discuss treatment. You may also receive a call from a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) to discuss sexual partners who might have been exposed. Partner Services is a voluntary, free, and confidential service to locate partners.
People who test positive should contact the Allegheny County Public Health Clinic by calling (412) 578-8081.
Allegheny County Public Health Clinic
1908 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15219
Additionally, it is important to discuss treatment options for you and your sexual partner(s), as well as additional testing you may need, with a healthcare provider.
Here are three options a healthcare provider may suggest:
- Get treated
If you test positive for an infection, both you and your sexual partner(s) should talk to a healthcare provider about treatment. Antibiotics may be recommended and in most cases can effectively treat chlamydia and gonorrhea. It is important to complete treatment before having sex to ensure that you and your partner(s) are protected.
- Tell your partner
You should let any sexual partners from the last three months know that you have tested positive. They may also be infected and need to get tested and treated.
- Get retested
You should retest after 3 months to check for reinfection and continue prevention behaviors.
What if I’m not eligible for this test?
If you are not currently eligible, see the CDC’s website to find free testing near you.
What are chlamydia and gonorrhea?
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both common sexually transmitted infections. They can infect both men and women. Women can get chlamydia or gonorrhea in the vagina/uterus, anus, or throat. Men can get chlamydia or gonorrhea in the urethra (inside the penis), anus, or throat.
What is the treatment?
If you test positive for an infection, both you and your sexual partner(s) should talk to a healthcare provider about treatment. Antibiotics may be recommended and in most cases can effectively treat chlamydia and gonorrhea. It is important to complete treatment before having sex to ensure that you and your partner(s) are protected.