STD testing

[Bishop8088]

Hello, yes... I have returned with yet another question.  I was recently tested for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia and  Syphillis.  All test were negative.  But I have a few questions regarding those test.  Fist off my encounter was protected vaginal sex, but condom slipped off as I withdrew, most of the condom was on the outside of the female, so I don't think it came off inside her.  I ejaculated on her stomach.  I also engaged in oral sex, I was the giver.  She told me she had gential warts but that was some time ago when she was younger, 18 to be exact.  She is a ex girlfriend so I have been with her in her early 20's after she had been treated for the warts.  These acts took place March 20 of this year and I was tested on April 15.

Questions:  
1).How valid was  my syphils test, I understand it is not common in the US at this time.  I just wanted to know how sure I can be with my negative result when my test was taken at week 3.  FYI this is the same women from my previous thread last year.

2). On the day I was to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia I voided an hour before the test.  I stopped mid stream when I realized that this was going to be my sample for the test.  I then waited another hour before giving a unrine sample, but because I stopped mid stream an hour before giving this sample, would that invalidate my negative results?  One of the reason I ask... is since the test I have had itching feelings at the tip of my penis and irratation after i pee.  I understand with these test there is a 8 to 10% failure rate for men.   Nucleic Acid Probe was the test used on me. I haven't had any discharge, it feels like it could be chlamydia... but then it has been stated that 25 to 40% of men have no syptoms, but since I am/or feel like I am, wouldn't I have discharge too?  should I test again?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your urinalysis is just one more indication that this is not an STD.  You need to look for another explanation for your symptoms .


This will conclude this thread.  EWH

[Bishop8088]

I recently had my doctor take a sample of my urine for a urinalysis and he found  nothing there either.  Let say for arguements sake, if I had something and those std test missed something, would this test have pointed to anything  to make them come in doubt.   I just don't know what to make of this on again, off again symptoms.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, your results are reliable.  EWH

[Bishop8088]

Thanks, sorry about the syphillis question.  So I did nothing to alter the results of my Chlamydia test?  And you understood what I was trying to say.  In other words I could have urinated 15 minutes before this test and still came out with a reliable results with the particular test I took.  Just to be clear.   Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Before I get to specifics, let me tell you that your condom, even if left behind on exit from your partner, worked.  Condoms which come off in this way still typically offer protection.

1. With regard to syphilis, you really need not worry. Issues of this sort should be considered in context and for syphilis, here in the U.S. this year there will be fewer than 10,000 cases of syphilis in a country of over 350 million. In other words, that is 1 case of syphilis for every 35,000 American.  Of those who will get syphilis, the largest proportion will be men who have sex with men.  Thus, even before testing, your risk of syphilis was very, very low. The blood tests for syphilis tyupically are positive in about 3 weeks or less following exposure, thus the added information from your negative syphilis test make it virtually certain that you did not get syphilis form the exposure you describe.

2.  With regards to testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, studies have shown that while tests which look for the bacteria or signs of infection can be altered if a person has voided an hour or less before specimen collection, this does not occur for the nucleic acid amplification tests.  Beliieve your tests, you do not have chlamydia or gonorrhea either.  There si no need for repeat testing

Hope this helps, take care. EWH