Aa
Could this be in my system for 3 years and I not know it
I went to the doctor for my annual pap appointment. I guess its also a routine procedure to also supply a urine sample as well. My last three years I lived in another state and that was not done, so I was surprised when I had to supply one just for a pap. Well the doctor called me the other day and informed me that I tested positive for chlamydia. I was quite shocked due to the fact that I have only been with my husband for three years. Neither one of use have cheated. The last time he was with someone else was may 2003. Could I have had this all this time and finally found out because I have only had a annual pap the past three years and not a urine test as well. I dont have any sypmtons and take very good care of myself. I'm 38 and never had any medical problems ever. Both me and my husand our very concerned and worried. His doctor wont test him because he doesn't show any signs either.
Doctor H,
I have a question about chlamydia and zithromax.
Would taking a course of zithromax 500mg the 1st day, then taking 500mg 10 hrs later, 250mg the next day and 250mg the last day, be effective treatment?
I know that 1g at once is recommended, but just curious would this dosage be just as good.
I have a question about chlamydia and zithromax.
Would taking a course of zithromax 500mg the 1st day, then taking 500mg 10 hrs later, 250mg the next day and 250mg the last day, be effective treatment?
I know that 1g at once is recommended, but just curious would this dosage be just as good.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In the broadest terms, there are only 2 possible explanation for a positive chlamydia test: you are infected; your the test result is falsely positive. (You could add a third, a mix-up of your specimen with someone else's in the doc's office or the laboroatory,but I include that in the false-positive category.)
With modern chlamydia testing on urine specimens, false positive results are rare, but it's always a possibility.
If the lab result is real, the question then is how long you have been infected. Most chlamydial infections in women resolve spontaneously within 6-12 months, but in up to 10% of women, the infection can persist for at least 4 years. So although it is statistically somewhat unlikely, indeed it is possible you have been infected since before you and your husband began having sex. The duration of chlamydia in men has not been studied as well as in women; in general, though, carriage longer than 6 months is believed to be rare, if it occurs at all.
All this assumes you are right about neither of you having other sexual exposures in the past 3 years. You are in a much better position than I am to know, but you seem confident in his fidelity and certain in your own. In any case, I don't understand why your husband's provider won't test him. Even if he is positive, it will not necesarily mean either of you has been unfaithful in the past 3 years. Whether or not he is tested, both of you definitely need to be treated.
Most likely, you're never going to know for sure whether your result was false positive or the result of chronic past infection. I suggest you and your husband get treated and just move on.
As a final comment, according to standard guidelines, your provider should not have tested you in the first place. According to all standard guidelines, chlamydia testing of asymptomatic women should be limited to women age 25 or lower, or who otherwise have specific risks of infection, such as known exposure to an infected partner or symptoms (e.g., unexplained vaginal discharge). Your case is exactly one of the reasons testing should not be done in people at low risk.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
With modern chlamydia testing on urine specimens, false positive results are rare, but it's always a possibility.
If the lab result is real, the question then is how long you have been infected. Most chlamydial infections in women resolve spontaneously within 6-12 months, but in up to 10% of women, the infection can persist for at least 4 years. So although it is statistically somewhat unlikely, indeed it is possible you have been infected since before you and your husband began having sex. The duration of chlamydia in men has not been studied as well as in women; in general, though, carriage longer than 6 months is believed to be rare, if it occurs at all.
All this assumes you are right about neither of you having other sexual exposures in the past 3 years. You are in a much better position than I am to know, but you seem confident in his fidelity and certain in your own. In any case, I don't understand why your husband's provider won't test him. Even if he is positive, it will not necesarily mean either of you has been unfaithful in the past 3 years. Whether or not he is tested, both of you definitely need to be treated.
Most likely, you're never going to know for sure whether your result was false positive or the result of chronic past infection. I suggest you and your husband get treated and just move on.
As a final comment, according to standard guidelines, your provider should not have tested you in the first place. According to all standard guidelines, chlamydia testing of asymptomatic women should be limited to women age 25 or lower, or who otherwise have specific risks of infection, such as known exposure to an infected partner or symptoms (e.g., unexplained vaginal discharge). Your case is exactly one of the reasons testing should not be done in people at low risk.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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