[Question #11484] STI Transmission

14 months ago

2 years ago I had sex with a lady I met on a dating app after a 2 week period of arguing with my wife, it was on a Tuesday. I started getting symptoms 3 days later, got tested and treated for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. (tested positive) I tested again 15 days after treatment and received a negative for both STI's. I had sex for the first time again with my wife that night. I have never gotten tested for STDs prior to this, but I also never had any symptoms. My concern is what if I had chlamydia and/or gonorrhea before this, but didn't have any symptoms; so she's had either or both of these infections the entire time. I recently got tested to be sure, and both came out negative; however, I can't shake the feeling of "what if". It could be guilt, but I'm hoping for some guidance. She's pregnant and we have our Pre Natal visit this coming Friday.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

14 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.

I'm curious whether you tested positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia or both? I'm guessing gonorrhea; chlamydia symptoms usually take 7-14 days. But probably no matter -- the drugs for these are highly reliable, and that your symptoms cleared up is solid evidence you were cured. Even if not, your immune system would have eliminated either or both of these long before now. You don't describe your sex life in the months before the dating event, but assuming you and your wife were monogamous up til then, I see no reason to be concerned you were infected before then. On top of all that, you also have your recently repeated negative test results. Probably you were tested for HIV and syphilis as well -- right? (These tests are automatic by most doctors and clinics treating anyone for gonorrhea or chlamydia.)

Your wife probably will be tested for HIV and syphilis -- routine and automatic for all pregnancies -- and most obstetricians also order gonorrhea and chlamydia testing as well. So the odds are good you'll have those negative results in the near future (without having to ask for testing.) In addition, an Ob's standard genital exams would detect most potentially harmful infections.

All things considered, I see nothing for you to be worried about at this time.

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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14 months ago

It's hard to recall, but I may have had sex with 2 other women during that time. Which is the reason for my concern. Knowing that symptoms often don't appear and that my immune system could have terminated the infection, I'm wondering if I could have had it, given it to her and she could have it and not be transmitting it back to me. She hasn't had any symptoms. We have had unprotected sex roughly 3x a week over the last 2 years, so I would think that if she had it, I would have gotten it and tested positive by now. And I have never been tested for HIV, but I have syphilis; which came back negative.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

14 months ago

While I understand your concern, I really wouldn't be worried. Remember that the large majority of sexually active persons -- even those at highest risk -- aren't infected; and when they are, STDs are not transmitted with high frequency. That you wife presumably hasn't complained of symptoms also is significant, not to mention your negative test results. Many rare outcomes all would have to all break the wrong way for your scenario to be realistic. And I also pointed out your wife likely will be tested anyway.

I have the feeling you're regretting some sexual choices, especially the most recent. But try to think objectively. Deal as you need to with those emotions, but don't confuse them with infection risk. They aren't the same.

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14 months ago

Thank you for the reassurance, Dr.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

14 months ago

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped. Best wishes for a successful pregnancy and fatherhood.---