[Question #14034] STI Lateral Flow Test

1 months ago

Hi,

Two weeks ago I (male) had an unprotected sex, vaginal and oral with a long term female acquaintance. We had sex three times over the period of an evening and morning. My friend has told me she was clean and I myself had only ever recieved unprotected oral from a couple of encounters prior to this event.

I've had some anxiety post the event so I decided to purchase a at home STI test from a company called gettested which seems to be a Swedish company, operating in the UK. It was a 3-1 test for Chlamydia, Trichomonas and Gonorrhoea. I did the test and after 15 minutes the Chlamydia & Trichomonas where completely clear but on the Gonorrhoea part you could argue it has the faintest line possible, incredibly faint, you sort of had to be looking for it. I've ordered another test as thats what it has suggested because it was so faint it the card in the pack said another test would be needed. This has caused further anxiety.

It has been 14 days since the event. I have no symptoms, I feel healthy and I guess my question is, are these tests accurate, and considering I have no symptoms is it likely I have contracted something?

Thanks in advance.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome to the forum.

You describe a very low risk sexual experience -- from all you say it seems exceeding unlikely she has any active, transmissible STI. Also, urethral gonorrhea almost always causes prominent symptoms (pus dripping, painful urination) within 3-5 days, and absence of these 2 weeks after exposure is itself nearly 100% proof you don't have gonorrhea. I would have recommended against STI testing.

I have no direct knowledge or personal experience with the test you describe, but I'm inclined to agree the faint line is false and that you're not infected. Certainly it would not be available had it not been certified as accurate by the appropriate regulatory agency in Sweden and probably also by the country where you purchased it. I'm sure the recommended follow-up test will be negative. What specific test is advised? Rather than following the guidance that came with that test, you could consider visiting a local clinic (preferably a government supported STI/sexual health clinic) for gold standard testing, which would be a lab-based nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). You also could speak with your friend about your experience: she probably would want to know and might wish to seek testing herself.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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1 months ago

Thank you for the reply Dr.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/0bgcZLG - this is a link to the images of the test

I took a second test today and the Gonorrhoea line is totally clear but you could argue there is a faint / shadow on the Chlamydia line.

I have no symptoms and feel fine. Thanks in advance for any further advice.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

It seems certain the results for both tests are negative. Also, be sure to stop looking at the end of the test period. That is, if the instructions say to read the result at 15-30 minutes, throw it away at 30 minutes and do not be tempted to look again. Since you obviously continue to have some doubt, I suggest not doing the test again. If you need more reassurance, see my advice above about having a lab-based test.---
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1 months ago

Thank you Dr. One final question, for chlamydia, is it common for males to have no symptoms?

On a final note I will do a lab based test. Thanks again.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Yes: although urethral gonorrhea nearly always causes symptoms (discharge, burning pain with urination), asymptomatic chlamydia is quite common. Nevertheless, based on both the exposure and your test results, it remains very unlikely you have chlamydia, but of course you are free to test again if you wish.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

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