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Gonorrhea Clarification
Good Morning Dr.
I have been in a relationship for the past 6 months.
On Mar 6, 2009 I was tested and everything came back clean.
April, 2009 he said he was tested and everything came back clean.
August15th I was tested again for an IUD insertion and everything came back clean.
August 18th, my boyfriend and I had unprotected sex.
August 26th, I started to experience lower abdominal pain (but only during urination). There was no itching, burning, or odor that accompanied it. I told my boyfriend and he stated that he had been experiencing the same symptoms.
Yesterday, August 31st, we both went to our respective appointments.I was assured that nothing 'seemed' abnormal but am awaiting the results. My boyfriend said that the test came back 'inconclusive'. They aren't sure if he actually has gonorrhea but gave him a shot to be sure. I am getting my antibiotic shot today.
Because of the August timeline, I believe that somewhere between April and August, he went outside of the relationship because I am completely monogamus with my partner (for these reasons). Is it accurate for me to believe that? We only have sex every few weeks so, I even go further to say that the act outside of the relationship had to occurred within the last month. Because of the reactions to the symptoms, is that accurate?
In addition to my aforementioned questions, I would also like to ask:
1. Is it possible for a gonorrhea test to be 'inconclusive'?
2. Is it possible for gonorrhea to lie 'dormant' and not be 'caught' on a test?
3. How long can gonorrhea go undetected? (by either tests or symptoms). A range please...
4. Is it possible that he contracted the disease in late February/early March and it took 6 months for symptoms to arise and for a test to "pick it up"?
I have been in a relationship for the past 6 months.
On Mar 6, 2009 I was tested and everything came back clean.
April, 2009 he said he was tested and everything came back clean.
August15th I was tested again for an IUD insertion and everything came back clean.
August 18th, my boyfriend and I had unprotected sex.
August 26th, I started to experience lower abdominal pain (but only during urination). There was no itching, burning, or odor that accompanied it. I told my boyfriend and he stated that he had been experiencing the same symptoms.
Yesterday, August 31st, we both went to our respective appointments.I was assured that nothing 'seemed' abnormal but am awaiting the results. My boyfriend said that the test came back 'inconclusive'. They aren't sure if he actually has gonorrhea but gave him a shot to be sure. I am getting my antibiotic shot today.
Because of the August timeline, I believe that somewhere between April and August, he went outside of the relationship because I am completely monogamus with my partner (for these reasons). Is it accurate for me to believe that? We only have sex every few weeks so, I even go further to say that the act outside of the relationship had to occurred within the last month. Because of the reactions to the symptoms, is that accurate?
In addition to my aforementioned questions, I would also like to ask:
1. Is it possible for a gonorrhea test to be 'inconclusive'?
2. Is it possible for gonorrhea to lie 'dormant' and not be 'caught' on a test?
3. How long can gonorrhea go undetected? (by either tests or symptoms). A range please...
4. Is it possible that he contracted the disease in late February/early March and it took 6 months for symptoms to arise and for a test to "pick it up"?
My apologies, doctor. I was tested for the procedure but it was post-poned because of insurance issues so the IUD was never inserted. I have been tested but the results haven't come back (at my regular OB/GYN office) and where he was tested (the health department) he received results the same day on everything except for Herpes and HIV/AIDS. Your response did help tremendously. I have always heard these 'rumors' about STDs but never researched fully until I am now in the situation. Hope this helps someone else. Thanks so much!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. Before I address your specific questions, let me make several other comments as well. The onset of symptoms raises concerns that one of you may have given something to the other but it may or may not be an STD. For instance oral sex can transfer normal bacteria from the throat to the genitals which can result in symptoms mimicking STD and which may improve from treatment but are not a result of infidelity. Trying to sort out whether he has had sex with someone outside of your relationship may be difficult to sort out short of an open (and difficult) conversation.
Secondly, when in doubt treat does describe our general approach to possible STDs. We would rather over treat than take a chance with your health. At the same time however, in my clinic, we would only provide treatment AFTER testing had been performed. I hope you, as well as he, was tested before receiving treatment.
Finally, I note your symptoms began 11 days after IUD insertion. Occasionally bacteria from the vagina or cervix are carried into the uterus at the time of IUD insertion to cause infection. In your case you were certainly uninfected as of the time of your IUD insertion but whether you might have had some bacterial carried up is hard to say (BTW, did you receive antibiotics at that time, some programs routinely administer them).
Now, on to your questions:
1. Some test do give inconclusive results. It would depend on what test was performed. it is not all that common but does happen.
2. Less than 1/2 of 1% of gonorrhea infections are missed by current tests. thus it happens but is VERY rare. Our routine advice is to believe the tests.
3. Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic in both men and in women for periods of up to a year. Thus it can be undetected for that long.
4. Yes it is possible, particularly if you did not have frequent sex and some or all of that sex prior to insertion of your IUD was condom protected.
Hope this helps. EWH
Secondly, when in doubt treat does describe our general approach to possible STDs. We would rather over treat than take a chance with your health. At the same time however, in my clinic, we would only provide treatment AFTER testing had been performed. I hope you, as well as he, was tested before receiving treatment.
Finally, I note your symptoms began 11 days after IUD insertion. Occasionally bacteria from the vagina or cervix are carried into the uterus at the time of IUD insertion to cause infection. In your case you were certainly uninfected as of the time of your IUD insertion but whether you might have had some bacterial carried up is hard to say (BTW, did you receive antibiotics at that time, some programs routinely administer them).
Now, on to your questions:
1. Some test do give inconclusive results. It would depend on what test was performed. it is not all that common but does happen.
2. Less than 1/2 of 1% of gonorrhea infections are missed by current tests. thus it happens but is VERY rare. Our routine advice is to believe the tests.
3. Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic in both men and in women for periods of up to a year. Thus it can be undetected for that long.
4. Yes it is possible, particularly if you did not have frequent sex and some or all of that sex prior to insertion of your IUD was condom protected.
Hope this helps. EWH
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
