Chlamydia/Beta Strep

[cel81]

During a routine exam in August, I complained about painful sex and some bleeding.  I also asked for a full std check, but she only did blood work. I found out I had a beta-strep infection, took antibiotics, and felt better immediately.  A week ago I went to the dr w/ the same complaints and found out that I had a beta-strep infection and chlamydia.  I have been with the same man for two years.  Today I went back to the dr because said she wanted to do a second culture in case of a false-positive result.  I was concerned that this was something I could have had for years and it had done damage, but she said it wasn't possible.  She said it was a very a recent infection and that it would have to be a very recent infection for my boyfriend as well.  Even though I repeatedly asked, she said if I have chlamydia, there was definitely recent infidelity.  I did read online that if symptoms occur, they usually appear within one to three weeks of exposure. My boyfriend has no symptoms and we've made a dr appointment for him as well. So my questions -

1. Is chlamydia  only transmittable from one person while symptoms are present?

2. Could my boyfriend have had chlamydia for years and I only recently became infected with it or would he have had to just been infected as well?

3. How similar are the symptoms of beta-strep and chlamydia?  Could it be possible that she is saying that this is a recent infection for me only because I have symptoms - and could those symptoms be attributed to the strep infection??

4. How likely is a false-positive result?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

MedHelp does not want us to get into arguments with our client's health care providers but I must disagree with your doctor.  Chlamydia infections are more often asymptomatic than not, both in men and women and can persist as asymptomatic infections for several years (over that period, some infections would become symptomatic, some would cure themselves and some would simply persist).  While indeed, as a sexually tranmitted infection, many chlamydial infections are indicative of a recently acquired infection, not all are.  In addition, although rare, occasionally there are false positive chlamydial tests, the rates of false positivity vary depending on the test that is used.  As for your questions:

1.  No.  In fact, most transmission occurs when the infected person is unaware of their infection.
2.  See above.  One or both of you may have been infected for some time.
3.  Most persons with beta-strep do not have symptoms (same for chlamydia).  You may have had a cellulitis.  Your symptoms are compatible with either infection although somewhat more consistent with chlamydia
4.  See above.  Not common but they occur.

Hope this helps.  EWH

[cel81]

Thank you!  Should I be concerned about possible damage the chlamydia may have caused or is there any way to look into it?

[cel81]

Also, what is a cellulitis?  Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Chronic chlamydial infection can impair fertility. This is not common however.  At this time, trying to investigate what is a rather unlikely outcome of your infection (if you were even infected - you may not be) has potential to cause more problems than just waiting until you are ready to have a family.  If, when that time comes, you have not become pregnant after 12 months of trying without contraception, then raise the issue with your Ob-Gyn.

Cellulitis is a term for infection of the skin and mucous membranes.  It can present with local discomfort, swelling or redness.  EWH.  

[cel81]

Thank you again, Dr.