Is it possible that I have chlamydia?

[harper240812]

I was with a girl not too long before I was with my current girlfriend who I've been with for slightly over a year and a half now (the original incident was back in May or June of 2008). I've now begun to grow paranoid that I might possibly have clamydia, for what reason I'm not sure. I haven't been tested since the original incident and I'm fearful that I may have contracted chlamydia and passed it on to my current girlfriend. I have had a blood test done, but that was only for herpes, HIV, syph, and what not.

Neither of us have exhibited any symptoms, but I know just because we don't have symptoms, it doesn't mean that we don't have chlamydia. What are the chances that we've gone this long and we have chlamydia yet haven't exhibited any symptoms? I went and got tested a day or so ago, but I'd like some views on this until the results come back.

I really don't have any reason to believe the first girl I was with had chlamydia. I read a post by Dr Handsfield on here that said chlamydia often clears itself up in a few months. In fact he said that untreated infections often go away within a few months. My girlfriend and I have been apart for the last 5 months or so because of work, and neither of us have been sexually active. If I did have chlamydia could it have been cleared up in that time on it's own?

So am I just being paranoid?

[harper240812]

Thanks,

the results came back, negative.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. the answer to your questions is that yes, chlamydia could have been present without symptoms for over a year but that it is very unusual and in all probability you do not have infection.  Let's take this step by step.

I suspect that you are concerned about chlamydia because you have heard somewhere that it is amongst the most common STDs. This is true.  At the same time however, most people do not have chlamydia and most exposures to partners with chlamydia do not lead to transmission of infection.  Studies show that only about 1 in five exposures of uninfected men to infected female partners result in infection.  Thus, odds are that you do not have chlamydia.  Furthermore, most chlamydial infections do clear without treatment over time.  This too is in your favor.

BUT, as you note, chlamydial infections can occur without symptoms and they can persist for long periods of time. thus the best thing you can do to get rid of your lingering concerns is go and get a test for chlamydia. these tests are very accurate and can be done on a urine specimen or a penile swab.  i predict your test will be negative and when it is, you can stop worrying.

Hope this is helpful to you.  EWH