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STDs (Expert Forum)
Negative STD result -- but positive leukocyte result !
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Negative STD result -- but positive leukocyte result !
by whizz_kid, Jul 20, 2007 12:00AM
Hello
I had an STD screening at a clinic the other week, where amongst other things I had a swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Both came back negative.
However, in a routine check-up with my GP yesterday I was told that I had leukocytes in my urine.
Given that I’ve had no sexual encounters since the STD screening, I’m wondering how this can be.
Could it be that the chlamydia and and gonorrhoea results are wrong? (I took the tests on the seventh day after the “encounter” which prompted me to have the tests – so surely they would have picked up an infection by then?)
Or is possible that the act of swabbing my urethra increased the white blood cell count in my urine -- and thus given me a false-positive on the leukocyte test?
In short: do you think I should go back to have another STD screening on the back of this positive leukocyte result?
I had an STD screening at a clinic the other week, where amongst other things I had a swab test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Both came back negative.
However, in a routine check-up with my GP yesterday I was told that I had leukocytes in my urine.
Given that I’ve had no sexual encounters since the STD screening, I’m wondering how this can be.
Could it be that the chlamydia and and gonorrhoea results are wrong? (I took the tests on the seventh day after the “encounter” which prompted me to have the tests – so surely they would have picked up an infection by then?)
Or is possible that the act of swabbing my urethra increased the white blood cell count in my urine -- and thus given me a false-positive on the leukocyte test?
In short: do you think I should go back to have another STD screening on the back of this positive leukocyte result?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 20, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 20, 2007 12:00AM
You can be sure you don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia; the specific tests for those infections are much more reliable than looking for white blood cells (leukocytes) in the urine. CDC and most American STD experts recommend against urine WBC as an STD screening test. Many people with STDs like chlamydia have negative results, and many people have positive results with no STD, often with nothing wrong at all. A few WBC in urine from time to time is normal in most people. It is conceivable you have a urinary tract infection of nonchlamydial nongonococcal urethritis, or if you're a woman (you don't say your sex), a vaginal infection. Or nothing at all.
Your GP is the one to decide whether your results or abnormal or whether or not to repeat testing or look for other causes. But you can be sure you don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Your GP is the one to decide whether your results or abnormal or whether or not to repeat testing or look for other causes. But you can be sure you don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
That's a real weight off my mind!