[Question #12393] Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing Error?

8 months ago

After a 5 year relationship, where we used a condom every time, I decided to test for STDs. Everything came back ok.

On 11/10, I tested for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia through STDCheck and chose my local Labcorp to do the actual tests. On 11/13, I got a message, in my portal, from STDCheck saying "test not performed. Specimen received overfilled."STDCheck then said I could test again at no cost to me.

So gave another urine sample on 11/13 (the same day, I didn't waste time lol) and my results on 11/15 came back normal.

THEN, on 11/20 I got a call from the lab tech who collected my urine the first time, after the above results came back ok, saying she was calling because she received from the lab stating we need the urine sample again. She said it was her fault and not the lab's and I could come in whenever to redo it. So it seems like something got "crossed in the mail" so to speak, as I believe she was calling about the "overfilled" specimen above. SO now, I am thinking, I DID redo the test and the results came back normal.

1) The lab and STDCheck wouldn't release the results to me via PDF with an incomplete or wrong test right? I did get results saying normal when I did it. Or does it seem like the local lab tech got the message a couple days later? I should trust the test I got that says NORMAL?

8 months ago

2) In perusing quite a few pages in this forum, you both have said Gonorrhea Chlamydia infections can clear up on their own after a few months.. Is this correct?

3) If a man does indeed get those 2 infections, when would symptoms show up if they show up? I did have unprotected sex a few times over the last month with a trusted woman. Last time we had sex was 7 days ago to which she told me she has no STIs.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

8 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. I must say, I find myself wondering why, five years into a relationship, you would choose to test. Irrespective, both STDCheck and LabCorp are highly reputable, laboratory systems whose results I would have complete confidence in. In response to your specific questions:

See my comments above. I would have confidence in the results you received.

2) In perusing quite a few pages in this forum, you both have said Gonorrhea Chlamydia infections can clear up on their own after a few months.. Is this correct?

This is correct. At one month about 20% of infections (perhaps more) have cleared without treatment. Over time clearance rates increase steadily. A small proportion of untreated infections can persist asymptomatically beyond a few months but it would be unusual.

In men over 90%, perhaps as much as 95% of men become symptomatic, developing symptoms within 3=5 days of acquiring infection.. A larger proportion of chlamydial infections can be asymptomatic but still about 60% become symptomatic within a week or two after infection. Obviously, the best way to be completely sure one is not infected is to test.

EWH

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8 months ago

Thank you so much. You, putting these things into proper context helps me and hopefully others with the same questions. I like this forum as the answers you give put things in contexts where most medical sites do not and just list symptoms and the public can jump to incorrect conclusions. I should clarify, I just got out of a 5 year relationship and decided to get tested before I got into a new one.

1) After perusing the questions, some people have brought up swollen lymph nodes in the groin area pertaining to gonorrhea and chlamydia.. For example, if I look down at my thighs while standing up straight, one thigh looks more "swollen," on the inside, than the other near where my ball sack hangs between my legs. Would swollen lymph nodes ever be the only symptom if caused by those 2 STIs? 1B) Is that even the right area where lymph nodes would be?

2) I have noticed my sperm can look white in a paper towel or in my hand but against something white like a toilet seat or toilet bowl, it can have a more yellow appearance? Is this anything to be concerned about? I'm also 50 years old.

3) Lastly, if one does develop symptoms of these 2 STIs, would the symptoms get worse until treatment or the body clears them on it's own?

Thanks again for answering these questions. They may seem redic, but as someone non in the medical community they clear a lot of misunderstanding.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

8 months ago

Getting tested as you consider entering into new relations(s) makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

1. What is said on the internet is misleading. It is normal for some lymph nodes to be able to be felt. When lymph nodes can be felt it may be normal or due to inflammation of some sort- the list of things that can cause palpable lymph nodes is as long as my arm. Abnormal lymph nodes are not palpable is the area you describe- rather the are located at the crease at the top of the thigh. Further determining whether or not lymph nodes are abnormal is something best left to an experienced clinician. If you are concerned about what may be swollen lymph nodes, see a health care provider. Don't go down a rabbit hole which is what it sounds like you are on the verge of doing. If you are worried about STI, then TEST, don't guess and don't try to determine what is happening based on what you think could be swollen lymph nodes.

2. This is not something to worry about

3. STIs can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. When persons develop symptoms, sometimes they are mild, sometimes they are more severe and in some cases persons can have virtually any STI and be asymptomatic.

My sense is that you ar looking for something, perhaps a sign that you have an STI. I'm perplexed as to why that is the case. If you want to know about STI, test, don't guess.

You have one follow-up remaining. EWH

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7 months ago

Thank you EWH for your responses. Since this is my third and final "rebuttal" so to speak. I figure if I ask, others may have the same questions that you can't get anywhere else.

1) Just to confirm both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can clear up on their own without treatment?

1A) I believe you, it's why I came here, it's more of an industry question, but why do other mainstream medical sites make it seem like these are terrible infections and you must treat and say they won't clear? I just think how many may have had it and never knew ever because it cleared up on it's own.

2) I notice around arousal sometimes, there's a white spot in my underwear, which I assume is from precum or ejaculation. It's not much, like a 1mm in diameter. It's white looking, sometimes kinda shiny if the light hits it right in my underwear. Is that anything to worry about?

3) Sometimes my sperm looks an off white color? I wouldn't say yellow but it's not bright white either. Is that anything to worry about as well?

4) Can untreated Gonorrhea and Chlamydia cause any long-term issues? My GF is 55 and doesn't want kids and neither do I. We are both "fixed."

5) If one were to get symptoms would they come and go or continue to get worse?

5A) Is discharge or burning the main symptoms of Gonnorhea and Chlamydia you have seen in your patients or experience?

Thanks again and take care!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

7 months ago

As you point out, these will be my final responses as part of this thread. Following these replies there should be no need to return.

When infection is present treatment should be given ASAP. While only a minority of infected persons suffer complications of untreated infection, the complications can be devastating, particularly for women who may suffer infertility, increased risk for ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. In men complications are less common but can be problematic as well.

3) Sometimes my sperm looks an off white color? I wouldn't say yellow but it's not bright white either. Is that anything to worry about as well?

You answered this before. The answer is not going to change. See above.

4) Can untreated Gonorrhea and Chlamydia cause any long-term issues? My GF is 55 and doesn't want kids and neither do I. We are both "fixed."

See above. As I asked in my original question, I found myself wondering why you even sought to test given that you state you are in a five year relationship in which condoms are used consistently.

5) If one were to get symptoms would they come and go or continue to get worse?

Again, unclear why you are worried about symptoms. Typically symptoms develop within a few days or several weeks of acquistion of infection. STI symptoms do not come and go.

5A) Is discharge or burning the main symptoms of Gonnorhea and Chlamydia you have seen in your patients or experience?

Penile discharge and burning on urination are the primary symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Symptoms of gonorrhea occur in about 90% of infected men and cymptoms of chlamydia develop in about 50% of men with chlamydia

This complete this thread. EWH.

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