HIV Risk - Already diagnosed with Chlamydia

[aldie82]

I had unprotected sex at the end of July & on Aug 2. On Aug 5, I started getting pains similar to a UTI. Dr tested diagnosed me with a UTI & put me on antibiotics for 3 days. After I was better, we had protected sex but his penis did touch my clitoris unprotected and I got another UTI on Aug 22. I went on 3 days of antibiotics. After meds were done, I still didn't feel right, so I went to the dr and got tested for Chlamydia and Ghonorrea & was diagnosed with Chlamydia. Maybe my UTI's were Chlamydia all along. I'm on Metronidazol and Doxiclat, as well as vaginal inserts.

My partner told me that he was tested for Chlamydia & Ghonorrea twice (before & during), our relationship and they were negative. Since my last sexual partner (protected) was in October 2011, I doubt I had Chlamydia all along & symptoms only came out since sex with my new partner. Is it possible that's the case?

Since either both of his tests were inaccurate or he's lying I'm now concerned of HIV. He said he had an HIV test in Dec, and while he's slept with 4 women since, I've been his only unprotected partner. He's been feeling quite ill lately with flu-like symptoms and I'm just generally feeling unwell (tailbone pain, joint pain, headache, flushed face). I'm not sure if I should be concerned of HIV, but I'm obviously panicking quite a bit as I'm not feeling well, but not sure if I should chalk that up to the fact that I've been on antibiotics for over a month, or if I have to be concerned about HIV. I don't have a fever but my mouth hurts and I've been having chills off and on.

I should mention that our unprotected sexual encounters didn’t involve ejaculation, although I can't be sure there was no pre-ejaculate. I did not perform oral sex but he did.

Should I get an HIV test? I know I have to wait 3 mths for the most accurate result, but I'm not sure I can wait that long. It costs money to get it done where I am, but I'm willing to pay anything if the results will be accurate.

Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Norfloxacin is not an approved therapy for chlamydia and thus while it might have improved your symptoms, it would not be expected to cure the infection.  

I agree that the best option if to wait and test, simply for the peace of mind it will provide. Your risk for infection however is very, very low and not something to worrya bout in the interim.  There are tests, which test for the HIV p24 antigen and HIV antibody at the same time which provide defintive results at 4 weeks, or alternatively, tests which test just for HIV antibody alone provide defintive results at 8 weeks.  The persons who are providing the tests should be able to tell you which sort of test they are using.  EWH

[aldie82]

Thank you for your response Dr. Hook. I was previously on Norfloxacin for both of my UTIs. While I have had UTI's before, these two were more severe in that they gave me horrible chills, awful pain during urination, and blood in my urine and needless to say, they did not clear up with antibiotics.

Does Norfloxacin treat Chlamydia as well as UTIs? I'm asking so that I can try to determine if maybe it was actually Chlamydia from the start, rather than a UTI.

Do you think that the symptoms that I am currently experiencing could be related to the amount of antibiotics I've been on? I don't have chills, fever, diarrhea or nausea and my glands don't seem swollen. My mouth is dry and painful, but again, I'm wondering if that's antibiotic use. I am just fearful as I feel lied to and obviously because I had unprotected sex with someone who doesn't seem to be telling the truth.

Yes, my partner is heterosexual and does not use IV drugs as far as I know.

I suppose my best option is to wait until the 8 week mark and then get the tests done. I have heard of some tests that can be done at 30 days - what is their accuracy? I'm in a country where I don't have insurance, so it will cost me money and want to make sure it's accurate to put my mind at ease, or deal with the results. I've never had an HIV test done, but I have had very few sexual partners. It's probably time I get one done.

Thanks again for answering.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. I will try to help.  As I read your post, I found myself wondering if your earlier "UTIs" were not actually, symptoms of chlamydial infection.  While one cannot be completely sure, it would not be unusual.  

A helpful piece of information would be what antibiotics were you treated with for your "UTIs"  The reason I ask is that many of the antibiotics that are used to treat UTIs also treat chlamydial infection and if you had received one of those as your UTI treatment, then your history, while still not definitive, is consistent with repeated infections.

I have to say however, you will probably not be able to determine with 100% confidence when you got your infection.  

As far as HIV testing is concerned, while the risk of getting HIV from any single encounter, particularly from a heterosexual partner whom, I presume, does not use IV drugs, is low.  Nonetheless, I would suggest that you get tested. HIV testing is recommended for every American and regular testing is a good idea for anyone who has had more than one and/or new partners within the past year.  These tests can typically be obtained at little or no cost at public health STD Clinics.   You can get a reliable result with testing at any time more the 8 weeks after your last exposure

I hope my comments are helpful.  EWH