[Question #7634] Possible false negatives

54 months ago

Hello Dr's

In late November I made a terrible error in judgment and had oral sex outside my current relationship.

On 11/17 I received oral sex from a new friend, a younger female 24 years old.

On 11/22 I had sex with my girlfriend.

The week of 11/30 my girlfriend began complaining of a yellow discharge. I have had no noticeable symptoms. Perhaps maybe a slight burning on urination and what appears to be a slightly wet-looking urethra. I am not sure it this is because I am worried and hyper-sensitive now.

on 12/10 I went to Anylab test now and had the full battery of STD tests including trich, gonorrhea, and chlamydia - all came back negative.

Her symptoms persisted, for peace of mind I ordered an STD test from Everywell and tested on 1/6 which included trich,, gono, and chlamydia. Again, the tests came back negative. During this time my partner and I have continued to have sex on a regular basis and she continues to have symptoms that include a yellow dishcarge.

Is it possible that I had 2 negative tests, but passed an STD along to her? My understanding is that only gonorrhea should be a concern from my exposure and the test should be highly accurate. Could transportation temps affect the accuracy of the results as I live in a northern state and the tests were surely sent elsewhere for processing?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

54 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your question. I'll do my best to help. The exposure you describe was low risk. Most persons do not have STIs, when they do, oral infections are less common than genital infections, and even when exposed to an infected partner most single exposures do not lead to infection. Further you have now been tested and currently used tests for STIs are amongst the most sensitive tests in all of medicine. The likelihood of having two false negatives is virtually zero. You have proven you were not infected with the STIs you have tested for.

Abnormal vaginal discharge can have many causes including being due to bacterial vaginosis, a disruption in the bacterial balance of the vagina. What we can say for sure however is that, based on the information that you have provided, you can be confident that you did not give her an STI.

I hope this comment is helpful. EWH

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54 months ago

Thank you for your prompt reply. She recently received the following results from an exam. Clue cells - not detected, trichomonas - not detected, yeast - not detected. Lately she has had a fever and headaches with continued yellow discharge.

I understand the tests are accurate when performed correctly. Is there a chance that other influences would yield false negatives?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

54 months ago

I think she needs to look for other causes of her symptoms. As I mentioned above, false negative tests, particularly with repeated testing is simply not a realistic possibility. EWH
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53 months ago

Thank you again for your prompt reply. One final question; can you confirm that transport temperatures would not negatively affect the accuracy of test results? As I mentioned I am in a norther state and the samples would have been sent to the lab and likely exposed to freezing temperatures in the process.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

53 months ago

The tests currently is use for tests for STIS, including HIV are highly reliable in a wide variety of environmental conditions. Neither heat nor cold transport conditions impact their performance. Be confident of your test results.

As this is my 3rd response, as per Forum guidelines this thread will be closed shortly. Take care. Please don’t worry. EWH

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53 months ago

Thank you for you for sharing your expertise and the service you provide.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

53 months ago

Thanks for your thanks. Glad you found the information we provided helpful. Stay safe. EWH ---