Chlamydia - symptoms present after treatment

[james209]

Dear Doctor,

I was recently diagnosed with Chlamydia via a PCR urine test. I was prescribed to take 100mg of Doxycycline twice daily for 14 days. Now after completing the full course of antibiotics the symptoms are still present. As a result, I re-attended the health clinic for a test-of-cure and I was informed that a PCR urine test could not be taken until 5 weeks had passed due to traces of the dead bacteria effecting the result. However, a further culture swab test was taken and the doctor stated that there was no mucus cells present in this. This has not eased my worries though as the initial Chlamydia test carried out for my original diagnosis also failed to show mucus cells - and yet the PCR urine test still came back positive showing the infection.

I would like to ask the following questions:

1) Firstly, what are the chances of the Chlamydia infection being cleared with the anti-biotics taken?

2) Is it common that symptoms should remain for a period of time after treatment (e.g. 5-7 days) ?

3) Why would a culture swab test fail to show the presence of mucus cells, even though the PCR urine test indicates positive Chlamydia infection?

4) How efficient are condoms at protecting against Chlamydia if they are used properly and remain fully in-tact during sex?

Any advice appreciated.

[Dallasfan]

Did you abstain from sex during the treatment period? Did your sexual partner also receive treatment.  To answer question 1, the doxycycline for 14 days will treat chlamydia. For question 2, You may still have symptoms if something else is going on like a trichomonas infection. For question 3 the presence of white blood cells ( mucus cells (sic )) are not always present with a chlamydial infection.. Condoms are very effective protection. If you are still having problems you may need to revisit your Doctor. Take care.