Scared About An Unprotected Sexual Encounter

[Avery320]

I recently had unprotected sex with an ex. I'm a little paranoid about his sexual past and am waiting on the results of an STD test (he gave me gonorrhea a few years ago which we both got treated immediately). The unprotected encounter was on 12/1/08. I've since had sex with my boyfriend a few times after that was unprotected also. I have no signs of anything being wrong but just want to be sure.
1. What are the odds that I could have contracted an STD from the ex in one unprotected sexual encounter (he pulled out before having an orgasm).
2. What are the odds of if he did have something I passed it on to my boyfriend? We've only had sex a few times since
3. Also, the weekend after I had sex with the ex I caught a cold and was put on antibiotics. I later read that the medication I took can also be used to treat some STD's. I had sex once with my boyfriend in between 12/1 and taking the antibiotics
4. I got tested a week ago and the Gonorrhea and Chlamydia results still haven't come back yet. HIV was negative and so was Hepatitis. Is there something to worry about more since the other results are taking so long?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I would sure like to help, but I really cannot estimate the risk in such a situation.  Getting tested is the way to go -- but you have already done that.

1) Your partner's record, the past gonorrhea business, suggests high risk.  But I have no way to know his recent sexual lifestyle.  If he has cleanred up his act, there may be no risk at all for gonorrhea or any other STD.

2) This takes the guessing even farther afield.  If you were infected and you and your husband have unprotected sex, of course he is at significant risk.  But I have no way of knowing.

3) Depending on which antibiotic you took, it might have cured certain STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) if you were carrying them or had been exposed.  But different antibiotics have different activities against each of these infections.

4) The time until test results return does not predict the result.  It just depends on the time until the specimen arrives in the lab, is tested, and results returned to the provider's office.  Depending on those factors, it can be anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks.

I'm glad to hear the HIV and hepatitis tests were negative, as expected.  You don't mention syphilis, but my bet is that a blood test was done; if not, ask for it.  Most likely the gonorrhea and chlamydia tests also will be negative, either because you were never infected or the antibiotics cured it.  Either way, you can go forward with confidence that all is well.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[Jonathan323]

Going through a similar ordeal, the test you are waiting for is probably a culture test, takes a bit longer, but more accurate results.
Fortunatley worst case if you did have either of them they are very easily treated, but still very scary, I know.

[Avery320]

Thanks for the help. I just called the Dr. for my results and they apparently they "forgot" to submit the tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis. So, I just had to go back to get re-tested. My pap however was normal. If the pap was normal does that mean the other tests will most likely be normal as well?
I just want this resolved once and for all

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It's good your pap is normal, but it says nothing at all about the likely results of the other tests.

[Avery320]

Thanks... just one more question... Can gonorrhea and chlamydia go away on their own without treatment?  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Almost all bacterial infections clear up without treatment, given enough time.  For most of human history, before antibiotics, most people with pneumonia, scarlet fever, cholera, dystentery, and so on recovered.  (Tuberculosis and syphilis are exceptions, however.  They persist until antibiotics are taken.)  For gonorrhea and chlamydia, it usually takes several months, sometimes a year or more; other times, an infection may clear up in a few weeks.  This explains some cases where a person is infected and his or her partner tests negative.  Even when an infection clears up on its own, it can do a lot of damage before it goes away.  Never rely on spontaneous cure; get treated.