Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Throat Swab

The Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea throat swab is a simple self-collection swab to test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea in the throat.

Although Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea in the throat are uncommon, anyone who has had unprotected oral sex should get themselves tested.

You should wait to test until at least 14 days after you think you caught chlamydia or gonorrhoea as these infections probably won’t show up on any tests you take before then.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are often symptomless, meaning you could unknowingly have an infection. If symptoms are experienced, they include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, If left untreated, can spread to other parts of your body and lead to long-term health problems, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancies and epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicles).

The test kit contains a cotton swab in a sealed test tube. Twist the cap of the tube and pull the swab out, being careful not to touch the tip. You need to ensure the swab makes good contact with the 5 key areas of the mouth:

1. Tonsil
2. Posterior wall
3. Uvula
4. Posterior wall
5. Tonsil

A step by step guide is included with all swabs to help identify where they key areas are. Once you have swabbed the throat, place the swab back in the tube, again being careful not to allow the tip to come into contact with anything and seal it tight.

Follow the instructions on the leaflet with the test kit. There is a label on the test tube of your test kit for your name, date of birth and the date you collected your sample. It is also very important to include your request form with your details as the laboratory will not test your sample without this information.

Put your sample and your request form with your details into the pre-paid envelope and post it to the lab as soon as possible. You don’t need to pay for any postage and can put your sample in any post box.

After the lab has received it, your test results will be available in 2-3 days

If you order an STI kit from us at WebMed Pharmacy by 4pm Monday to Friday, you will receive it the next working day delivered by DPD*, for all mainland UK except the Scottish Highlands. There is no additional cost for postage unless you wish it to be delivered on a Saturday or Sunday.

The kits are posted in discreet plain unmarked packaging with no indication of their contents. You will then send your sample, in the pre-paid envelope; to The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) in Manchester**. They are the largest independent providers of clinical laboratory diagnostic services in the UK. Once the lab has received your sample, your results will be available 2-3 days later. We will contact you by your chosen method, email or SMS to let you know that there is a message in your “inbox” via your secure login at WebMed Pharmacy to get the results.

If your test is positive for Chlamydia or gonorrhoea we will ask that you complete a simple medical questionnaire that our Doctor can assess for your suitability and, if approved, be prescribed the oral antibiotics to treat the infection.

*For the Scottish Highlands, we use Royal Mail Special Delivery guaranteed by 1pm next day for most post codes. Full postal details are available if you go to the “Delivery” tab.

**The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) www.tdlpathology.com