[Question #12980] Testing and clamydia

3 months ago

In July 2020, I had unprotected sex with a high-risk partner one time, cheating on my girlfriend. I didn’t test afterward, which I regret. Since then, we’ve been monogamous with my girlfriend. In 2023, I tested HIV/syphilis antibody negative. My current concern is chlamydia, since it can be asymptomatic. My girlfriend tested negative for chlamydia/gonorrhea on Aug 1, 2022. I tested negative on Oct 12, 2022, and Jan 6, 2023. Though our test dates didn’t fully overlap, can we conclude chlamydia is cleared after nearly 5 years and those 2022/2023 tests? We’re planning pregnancy this summer, so I want to be sure there’s no transmission risk. Thank you.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

3 months ago

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

You can be confident you do not have chlamydia, for several reasons. First, the chance you were infected from that single exposure was low: the large majority of sexual encounters, even with the highest risk partners and no protection do not result in STI transmission. Second, absence of symptoms in the next two weeks made the risk even lower. (Chlamydia can be asymptomatic, but most infections in men cause noticeable symptoms.) Third, genital chlamydia in men usually is cleared by the immune system within a few weeks or months. Finally, you have all those negative tests, both in yourself and your partner.

There is no basis for concern about chlamydia and certainly no need to delay conception or worry about it. Best wishes for success in that endeavor and for a successful pregnancy, delivery, and fatherhood!

Let me know if anything isn't clear. Best wishes.

HHH, MD

---

3 months ago

Thanks, doc. But 1) if I was infected in 2020, my concern is an unlucky cycle where it’s going back and forth between me and my partner, and thus able to hide from those tests (when she tests negative, I have it — and vice versa).

However, neither me nor my partner have had symptoms over these years (that we’re aware of).

But you say time is my friend here, and the lack of symptoms? Also, I see now that I actually did 3 tests and her 1:

My girlfriend tested negative for chlamydia/gonorrhea on August 1, 2022.

I tested negative on September 14, and October 12, 2022 and January 6 2023. 2) Final question: does testings rule out an infection in both of us with the given timeline?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

3 months ago

1) Such "ping pong" reinfection is not a realistic possibility; in that case your and your partner's chlamydia tests would have been positive.

2) Gonorrhea also is not possible. All chlamydia tests automatically include gonorrhea, so you can be sure both of you tested negative for it. Your negative test results rule out both infections.

---

3 months ago

Got it Doc. That helps a lot thank you. Final question before closing; is it fair to say such ping-pong effect does not realisticly cycle in a monogamous couple for 5 years, even without the testing we have done?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

3 months ago

"is it fair to say such ping-pong effect does not realisticly cycle in a monogamous couple for 5 years, even without the testing we have done?" Yes. That's what I said above, using different words.

Best wishes and stay safe.

---