The oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea test kit is an easy-to-use at-home oral swab test kit which detects the presence of bacteria responsible for causing chlamydia, Chlamydia trachomatis, and/or gonorrhoea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The test requires a sample to be taken from inside your throat using a swab, similar to a cotton bud.

The kit comes with everything you need to provide an oral sample, including detailed instructions and a prepaid envelope to post your sample back to our partner laboratory.

You should get an oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea test if you:

• have had unprotected oral sex with someone new
• are sexually active and under 25
• have had oral sex with someone who has tested positive
• or your partner has chlamydia or gonorrhoea symptoms
• have more than 1 sexual partner

You should also get a test if you are experiencing any oral chlamydia or gonorrhoea symptoms.

New evidence suggests that oral gonorrhoea may be transmitted through kissing, so there’s a possibility of infection even if you did not have oral sex.

Oral chlamydia symptoms

Chlamydia in the mouth is usually symptomless, but if you do get symptoms, you may experience:

• sore throat
• fever
• swollen lymph nodes
• persistent cough
• sores or blisters around the mouth and lips

Oral gonorrhoea symptoms

Gonorrhoea in the mouth symptoms can be similar to oral chlamydia and may include:

• sore throat
• swollen lymph glands
• fever
• difficulty swallowing

Oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea can affect both men and women, whether you are straight, gay, or bisexual. So, everyone who is sexually active should consider regular STI testing. You can get both infections at the same time.

For accurate results, you should get tested for oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea at least 2 weeks (14 days) after you have had unprotected sex. If you test too early, you may get a false negative result because the infection may not have developed enough for the test to detect it.

You will need to provide a throat swab for the oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea test. Collecting your sample is easy, and the kit is the same for both men and women. When you receive your kit, it will contain everything you need to collect your sample and send it to the lab for analysis.

Before you collect your sample, fill out the sample collection tube label using a ballpoint pen and apply it to the swab specimen collection tube vertically. Now you’re ready to take your test.

1. Before you begin, wash your hands with warm, soapy water and then dry them thoroughly on a clean towel.
2. Place the labelled swab specimen collection tube in one of the larger holes on the tray.
3. Remove the cap and put it foil side up, to one side, while you take your sample – be careful not to spill any of the liquid within the tube.
4. Remove the swab from its packaging and use one hand to hold the plastic shaft in the middle at the black line.
5. Carefully insert the swab into your mouth and swab from one tonsil, across the uvula (the dangly bit at the back of your throat), across to the other tonsil, making sure the swab does not touch any other areas in the mouth.
6. Place the swab into the collection tube. Holding the tube steadily and tightly, snap the stick at the black line. Throw the stick end of the swab in the bin, leaving the cotton end in the liquid inside the tube.
7. Screw the cap tightly back onto the tube.
8. Place the swab collection tube into the transport pouch. Peel off the adhesive backing strip, fold over the top flap, and seal firmly.
9. Post your sample back to us and wait for your results.

How long does the test take?

The test should only take you 5 to 10 minutes to collect your sample. However, there is no rush, so take your time to avoid making a mistake. Once the lab receives your sample, you should receive your results within 72 hours.

This oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea test is highly accurate at detecting chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the mouth, when taken correctly and at the right time.

For the most accurate results, you should do the test at least 14 days after you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhoea and follow the test kit instructions correctly, such as swabbing in the right place and for long enough.

Once our partner laboratory receives your sample, you can expect to get your results in your patient account within 72 hours. We will never email or text you your results. Instead, you will receive an email when they are ready to view.

When you receive your results, you will receive a negative or a positive result. This will also help you determine the next steps to take, whether you require treatment or a referral to another healthcare provider.

What does a negative test result mean?

If you have received a negative test result, this usually means that you do not have oral chlamydia or gonorrhoea, at the time of testing, and there is nothing else you need to do.

If you tested too early and received a negative result, you should retest after 14 days, especially if you think you were infected, to obtain a more accurate result.

What does a positive test result mean?

If you have received a positive result, this means it is likely that you have oral chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea. One of our doctors will have reviewed your test results and will advise you on the next steps.

If you have oral chlamydia, you can request treatment from Superdrug Online Doctor. The first-line treatment is one 100mg doxycycline capsule twice a day for 7 days.

We no longer offer gonorrhoea treatment at Superdrug Online Doctor, but one of our doctors will tell you what you need to do next to get appropriate treatment. This usually involves an antibiotic injection given at a sexual health clinic.

If you have oral chlamydia, the first-line treatment is doxycycline, a type of antibiotic. You can request doxycycline capsules for chlamydia from Superdrug Online Doctor. The recommended dose is one capsule twice daily for 7 days, and clinical data indicate that it is up to 100% effective in treating the infection.

To request doxycycline for chlamydia from Superdrug Online Doctor, you need to:

1. Complete a short online health questionnaire.
2. Sign up or log in to your account.
3. Choose your preferred treatment.
4. A doctor will review your request to determine if treatment is suitable for you.
5. If your request is approved, your treatment can be posted to you or a local Superdrug Pharmacy for collection.

We no longer offer gonorrhoea treatment, but the usual treatment is an injection containing the antibiotic ceftriaxone. If this is not recommended or you cannot tolerate this medication, you may be given oral antibiotics, such as:

• gentamicin
• cefixime
• azithromycin
• ciprofoxacin

If you have received a positive test result for oral gonorrhoea, one of our doctors will advise you on the next steps.

Can I still have oral sex/sex while waiting for results?

No, you should not have oral, vaginal, or anal sex while you are waiting for your test results. You should also avoid sharing sex toys with other people because there is a risk that you will spread the infection to your partner(s) or increase the chance of being reinfected.

As new evidence suggests that oral gonorrhoea may also be passed on through kissing, it’s best to avoid kissing too. You should wait until you receive a negative test result or complete a course of treatment before having sex.

Does the test detect other STIs?

No, this test only detects oral chlamydia and oral gonorrhoea. If you think you may have a different STI, explore our STI testing service for more tests.

Do I need to contact my partners if I test positive for oral chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea?

Yes, if you can, you should inform your sexual partners that you have tested positive for oral chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea so that they can get treatment. If this is not possible, or you feel uncomfortable doing so, a sexual health clinic may be able to help you.

How soon will oral chlamydia and gonorrhea show up on a test?

It takes 2 weeks (or 14 days) for oral chlamydia or gonorrhoea to show up on a test. If you do a test too early, you may get a false negative result because not enough time may have passed for the infection to fully develop and show up on a test.

How can I tell if I have oral chlamydia and gonorrhoea?

In most cases, you cannot tell you have oral chlamydia or gonorrhoea because they are symptomless. That’s why it is important to get tested regularly, at least once a year, or if you think you have been exposed to the infection. If you do experience symptoms, you may develop a sore throat, fever, or swollen lymph nodes, however, these can also be symptoms of other common conditions.