Other STDs and HIV

Hi Doc,

I just found out I am positive for Chlamydia this morning. I don't know when I got it. But, about two weeks ago I began feeling pain after I urinate.  Five weeks ago I had unprotected sex with a high-risk individual.  She is a meth-addict, but I dont know whether she had any history with injecting drugs. I could have got my chlamydia then, but I could have also gotten it months or years ago (I have never tested for chlamydia).  The question is, if I am infected with chlamydia with no symptoms at all, is my risk of getting HIV also in the 1/1000 category? Or would it be much higher?  Regarding symptoms, I had a bad sore throat 2 weeks after the possible exposure, which lasted for around a week. Could it be ARS? Or does ARS always present itself with more than one symptom? Thank you very much doctor.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

In most infected persons, chlamydia clears up on its own (without treatment) in a few weeks to months.  I don't know whether your symptoms were coincidental, but when symptoms occur at all, they typicall start within 2-3 weeks, not months later.  For these reasons, it is almost certain you were infected at that time.

Acquiring an STD increases the risk of HIV acquisition, but there are no data to calculate the increased risk for chlamydia for any particular exposure.  But statistically, the large majority of (female) meth users are HIV negative.

As I have said a hundred times, symptoms never are a reliable indicator for or against a new HIV infection.  Yours are meaningless in regard to HIV; you probably had a garden-variety respiratory virus.  But no, ARS generally causes multiple symptoms and always causes fever.

All in all, your odds are low.  But probably high enough to have an HIV test.  Perhaps it was done when your chlamydia test was done.  If not, you can do it any time; 5-6 weeks after exposure is fine.  (See many other threads on "time to positive HIV test" if you want more information on that.)

Finally, you have a responsibility to be sure your partner learns about her chlamydial infection and gets treated, if you know who she is and can locate her.  When you do, for peace of mind ask about her HIV status.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Much Needed Help]

What is considered a 'fever' when related to ARS?  

Since the body temperature of a person can fluctuate between 79.? and 99.?, what is considered a 'high?'  Would you say higher than 101, 102?  Just curious.

[alkmasud]

Thanks for the reply Doc. Sorry I had to ask another question. Prior to the incident five weeks ago, I have never had unprotected intercourse.  However, I did have unprotected oral sex many times. Could chlamydia be transmitted through oral sex if we are on the receiving end? Thank you again.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Chlamydia rarely infects the throat, and there has never been a known case of genital chlamydia that resulted from receving oral sex.

safety girl:  The fever in ARS can be anywhere from 100 degrees or higher.

HHH, MD