chlamydia question

Hi Doctor,
    Last June my boyfriend infected me with chlamydia and I was tested for it and treated and he was as well. We each took zithromax and did not have sexual intercourse for 6 or 7 days and all of my symptoms and his symptoms have gone away. Anyway, we are broken up now and I am not dating someone else and we have had unprotected sex a few times. So, I was wondering if it is possible for me to still have the virus and infect others after i have been treated? I havent gone to see a doctor yet to be retested but i am going to next week. I was hoping you could tell me what you think in the mean time? Thanks so much for your time.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Azithromycin is about 95% effective against chlamydia, so most likely you were cured.  However, it is recommended that every person treated for chlamydia be retested 3-4 months after treatment.  You don't say how long it has been, but if not yet 3 months, I suggest waiting until then, assuming you don't have symptoms like vaginal discharge or other problems.  Why not sooner?  Because it is possible that sometimes azithromycin suppresses the infection but doesn't cure it; testing too early might miss a persisting infection.  Whenever you do it, you can expect a negative result.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD