[Question #13459] gonorrhoea and chlamydia fatality and longevity without symptoms

 
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1 days ago

This episode is of Dec 2023, went to a massage parlour,  offered sex , had protected one.  Got all the tests done and came negative. Few months back the thought crossed just in case the condom slipped off and we failed to notice, unlikely though I was a beer or two down but in good senses, infact checked the disposed condom for any breakages.  I wondered to have sex with my spouse before getting myself tested ( highly unlikely) and could have passed gonorrhoea and chlamydia. My test after 8 weeks window came negative ( the thought that my immunity got rid of the bacteria in 8 weeks but my spouse might still carry it). Both of us never have had any symptoms for last 22 months. Based on the above scenario I just wanted to be know your responses to the following queries:  1.      what are the chances of not getting any symptoms between both of us and still carrying gonorrhoea and chlamydia. 2.      Can these bacteria be fatal ( I read in rare cases it finds way to the intestine and may settle there for few years ). 3.      House hold transmission ( having read it never happens ) my son mostly shares the bed with me – I know unless there is direct bare sex ( Penis to mouth, Penis to Butt, Penis to Vagina there is never a chance) towels, bedsheet and other common clothing use are never routes to transmission even by chance the person shares an shorts / underwear) .

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 days ago
Welcome back to the Forum.  Thanks for your. confidence in our Forum.  I'll be glad to comment and hope that the reassurance that I provide will be helpful

I think you are worrying more than you need to. You used a condom which is highly protective, you do not have symptoms, and you have negative tests.  There is virtually no chance that you acuired gonorrhea or chlamydia from the exposure you describe.  In response to your specific questions:

1.      what are the chances of not getting any symptoms between both of us and still carrying gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
Very low.  Over 90% of men with gonorrhea develop symptoms as do the majority of men with chlamydia.

 2.      Can these bacteria be fatal ( I read in rare cases it finds way to the intestine and may settle there for few years ).
On very, very rare occasions, persons with gonorrhea can develop disseminated gonorrhea which is occasionally fatal.  This illness is rare and infected symptoms develop symptoms.  I urge you not to worry about the possiblity of being infected, much less dying from it.
 
 3.      House hold transmission ( having read it never happens ) my son mostly shares the bed with me – I know unless there is direct bare sex ( Penis to mouth, Penis to Butt, Penis to Vagina there is never a chance) towels, bedsheet and other common clothing use are never routes to transmission even by chance the person shares an shorts / underwear) .
You are correct.  Household transmission of STIs does not occur.

Please don't worry.  EWH

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16 hours ago
Thanks Doctor. Further clarifications on the first 2 points:
1. Though i had protected sex with the massage girl but just in case the condom had slipped off ( very unlikely though)
 Given that it has been 22 months,  almost 2 years now, with no symptoms at all,  reading numerous responses on your site by you and Sir handsfield, both chlamydia and gonorrhea do not last for more than few weeks or months  and always is cleared by the immune system within an 1 year. So its safe to consider that in rare chance even if i infected my wife , we both are in clear now as there has'nt been any symptoms. ( i was just overthinking that post my exposure I had sex with my wife and infected her , before i got tested negative ). 

2. Similary in case of dissemination of both gonorrhea and chlamydia , had there been an extreme rare chance , there would have been noticeable symtoms as your mentioned.  So no worries right. And even such rare cases are  fully curable on discovery. 

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 hours ago
If the condom had slipped off, you would have known it!  

SOME but not all gonorrhea and chlamydia infections will resolve without treatment with a year.  Your tests PROVE that you are not infected.  Worrying that you may have been infected, then infected your wife and then cleared your own infection is seriously overthinking things.  You need to accept that you were not infected and move forward without continuing concern.

If you had dessiminated infection it would not be asymptomatic.

Please stop your needless worrying.  

One follow up remaining.  EWH
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