Long-standing chlamydial/gonorrhea infection(?)

[UrethraFranklin]

I originally posted about urinary symptoms, and have since been tested for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and yeast, and all came back negative. In the meantime, I was treated with an antibiotic shot and Doxycycline for one week. When it didn't help totally, I had an ultrasound and was given Cipro for three days, which cleared up most of my urinary symptoms, but not all. I am still experiencing some urinary burning and a fair amount of discharge (not sure if it's yeast). Is it possible that since the lab test was negative for yeast (which I KNOW I had), that the other tests should be repeated?

Also, I was recently told by a former sexual partner that he had chlamydia and gonorrhea last year. Since I began having "fake" urinary infections all last year (didn't test for bacteria), as well as menstrual irregularities (comes every three weeks instead of four) since I had slept with him, is it possible that I have had chlamydia and/or gonorrhea for a long time? Were the antibiotics I recently took enough to knock it out? Is there something else I should be taking?

Currently, I've also got symptoms of some kind of conjunctivitis in one eye (woke up with it this morning) -- just Googled it and thought maybe I had chlamydia. Am I just freaking myself out?

At what point should I go back to the doctor's? Should I try to retreat what I think of as a yeast infection with Monistat before calling my doctor? Help! Thanks!

-UF-

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It sounds like you didn't have gonorrhea or chlamydial infection, but if you did, the treatment you received would have eradicated either of them.  More antibiotics probably would just make you more predisposed to yeast infecions.  Your conjunctivitis is much more likely due to a respiratory virus or seasonal allergy than to chlamydia, which is a very rare cause of conjunctivitis in adults.

Not to raise your fears, but have you thought of genital herpes?  It is a very common cause of intermittent uriniary irritation, symptoms that mimic yeast, and others; in fact, yeast infection may be the most common misdiagnosis in women with recurrent genital herpes.  So rather than treating yourself with Monistat or anything else, consider seeing your doctor again and requesting a herpes blood test (unless you recently were tested and negative, or of course if you know you have herpe).  See several message strings on this forum about the right kind of herpes blood test, specifically the HerpeSelect HSV-2 test or the Biokit HSV-2 test.

Best wishes--

HHH, MD

[UrethraFranklin]

Hi, HHH.

Thank you again for quelling my fears. I have not yet had a blood test for herpes; only the syphilis and HIV tests.

I will inquire as to whether my doctor can order one of those specific tests, and if not, will find a clinic that does.

One more thought, though. An OBGYN did find a vaginal beta strep infection (even though I have never had children)in early February and put me on erythromycin. Between the erythromycin, Cipro, Doxycycline, and the in-office shot, should I be concerned that the beta strep infection could still be lingering? If not, reason would seem to point to yeast, with or without herpes...but I will be tested to be sure :(

Thanks again.

Much "respect," :)
-UrethraFranklin

[hookah]

best username ever

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Certain streptococci, in particular Group B beta strep, often normally colonize the vagina.  Generally it causes no symptoms or disease, babies exposed to group B strep during delivery can be seriously even fatally infected.  Therefore, it is routine to test for the bacteria in pregnant women.  However, finding the bacteria outside pregnancy is of uncertain significance, and whether or not it's still there probably is irrelevant to your symptoms.  (The usual advice is that doctors shouldn't even test for strep except in pregnant women.)  However, all those antibiotics might have made you more susceptible to yeast infections--although that risk fades within a few weeks after you stop the antibiotics.

HHH, MD

[777a]

it seems like i have had a constant bacterial inf.(tric.) for 18 months now. lately, i've had the irratation, diacharge but no odor. i went to the doctor he said that i had gonorra. is there any explaination other than  cheated? is it possible i had it and they didn't find it? we'that my boyfriend cheated. we've been together for one year. thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

New topic entirely, needs a new thread.  If you have gonorrhea, either you or your partner had to bring it into the relationship.  More information when you post as a new topic.

HHH, MD

[777a]

Is it possible that i had gonorrhea for a year, and it was not detected because they were looking for the bacteria infection(trich.)?
If it is possible, were the anibiotics they perscribed enough to kill the gonerrhea? thanks so much

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'll respond when you post your questions in a new thread, so others also can learn from them.

Thanks.

[777a]

what do you mean new thread?

[MLWTR]

A "string" is Internet-speak for a series of related messages on a web site. On this site, each string begins with a question; is followed by an answer; and then, usually, is followed by comments. The doctor has asked you to start a new string, which means that you have to go to the link that is titled "post a question," and put your question there.

Hope that helps.

[geminigirl872]

A related discussion, Answers? was started.