worried

Hi Doc,

I have got myself really worried, I am at university in England and I got chlamydia from a student. That was about 6 months ago now. But now because I got chlamydia I am worried I also got HIV. Everyone tells me not to worry and than chlamydia and urethritis are common. Just a bit of help would be appreciated as I am totally confused about the whole thing.

I started to think I had every STD because I got chlamydia. But then again I dont even know if it was chlamydia! because one morning, about 10 days after sleeping unprotected with another student I got a slight off white discharge so i immediatly panicked and ordered cipro and doxycycline and took it via the dosage guidlines. 1 x 500mg Cipro and doxy for 10 days twice a day. all symptoms went away. Im just worried because I got some kind of urethral infection I got HIV.

Thanks for reading this

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You don't describe the sex of your partners; if they are women, not immigrants from high-AIDS areas, and not injection drug users, the likelihood you acquired HIV at the same time as your chlamydia is lower than your chance of winning the next nationwide lottery.  But if you're worried, get an HIV test.  The negative result might be more reassuring than my advice from afar.

I can't tell whether the episode of urethritis you describe is the same episode you describe in the first paragraph or a later one.  Anyone with urethral discharge should have a diagnostic exam and testing; in general it isn't wise to self-treat without a diagnosis.  I trust you assured that all partners at risk were informed and given an opporunity to seek diagnosis and treatment.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[insane1]

I forgot to say - I did later get checked up after taking the medication I adminstered myself and I was clear of Gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

They didnt even ask about HIV

I never got any acute symptoms at all. But still think if I got a urethral infection I may have got HIV. I am not gay or bisexual - I am straight and dont take drugs.