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Why regular STI screening is important
Routine screening finds infections that cause no symptoms, so they can be treated and not passed on.
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Screening versus testing for symptoms
Screening means testing when you feel well. Its purpose is to find infections that would otherwise go unnoticed. If you have symptoms, you need a clinical assessment, not just a screening test.
Who might consider regular screening
The NHS advises getting tested if you have had sex without a condom, have a new partner, or a partner tells you they have an STI. In England, people under 25 who are sexually active are encouraged to test for chlamydia every year and when they change partner.
UKHSA publishes yearly figures showing that STIs remain common in England, which is one reason routine screening is promoted.
Benefits of finding infections early
Most bacterial STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional. HIV cannot be cured but effective treatment is available. Finding an infection sooner means treatment and partner notification can start sooner.
Related on CareFree Kits
Sources
- NHS – Sexual health (nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health)
- NHS – Chlamydia (nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia)
- UKHSA – Sexually transmitted infections in England (annual data) (gov.uk/government/statistics/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis-annual-data-tables)
Last reviewed 5 November 2026. This guide has not been clinically reviewed by a named professional.