STIs & Testing Medically Reviewed
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea: Symptoms, Testing Windows & Treatment
A clinical guide to the two most common bacterial STIs, dual testing, single-dose treatments, and avoiding reinfection.
By Privately Ask Clinical Advisory Board • Updated September 2026 • 7 min read
Clinical Review Standard
Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Hayes, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist. Grounded in consensus guidelines from CDC, WHO, NHS, and ACOG.
Key Clinical Takeaways
- Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are caused by bacteria and are 100% curable with prescription antibiotics.
- Testing should be done 7–14 days post-exposure via a sensitive Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT).
- Chlamydia is treated with oral Doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 7 days); Gonorrhea requires a single 500mg Ceftriaxone intramuscular injection.
- All sexual partners from the past 60 days must be treated, and sex must be avoided for 7 full days after treatment.
1. Diagnostic Testing: NAAT Urine and Swabs
Modern testing utilizes Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT), which amplifies bacterial DNA with >98% specificity.
Penile Testing: First-catch urine (do not urinate for at least 1 hour prior to sample collection).
Vaginal Testing: Self-collected or clinician-collected vaginal swab (more sensitive than urine for people with vaginas).
Extragenital Sites: If you engage in oral or anal intercourse, ask for pharyngeal (throat) and rectal swabs, as urine tests will miss these sites completely.
2. Treatment Protocols & Ceftriaxone Guidelines
Because antibiotic resistance is a major global concern, treatment protocols are strictly regulated:
Chlamydia: Doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days (first-line) or Azithromycin 1g oral single dose (in pregnancy).
Gonorrhea: Single 500mg intramuscular injection of Ceftriaxone.
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): In many states, clinicians can legally prescribe treatment for your partner without seeing them in person to stop reinfection ping-pong.
Myths vs. Clinical Facts
Myth Once you have been cured of chlamydia, you are immune to it.
Fact There is zero lasting immunity. You can be reinfected immediately if your partner is not treated.
Evidence: CDC recommends a repeat test 3 months post-treatment to check for reinfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I have sex again after finishing treatment?
You must wait 7 full days after completing your antibiotics (and your partner must also complete 7 days) before engaging in any sexual contact.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
- • Painful urination with milky or yellow penile drip.
- • Sudden pelvic pain, bleeding between cycles, or severe testicular swelling.
Authoritative Medical Citations & Sources
- CDC — STI Treatment Guidelines: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
- WHO — Guidelines for the Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis
- ACOG — Clinical Opinion on Expedited Partner Therapy