Positive Chlamydia results...can the test be wrong?

[bluemoom13]

I was having stomach pains, back pain, missed period,  Vaginal discharge and morning sickness.  I thought I was pregnant.  I had an IUD put in 1yr. ago, so I went straight to the Doc. who done a pelvic exam and blood pregnancy test.  The preg. test was negative, but they had me to come in telling me I had Chlamydia, which was a HUGE shock to me.  I have only had one sex partner and have been married to him for 5 yrs.  He had other sex partners before me.  We have had two children.  Since I am just now showing signs of this...is it true that i would have caught it recently? Also, I am confused about the fact that Chlamydia and PID have the same symptoms.  Is it possible that I have a PID from the IUD and the Chlamydia test result is wrong? Just one more question...is it possible that my husband contracted Chlamydia before we were together and I am just now getting it although we had unprotected sex many times before (most of our marriage)?  PLEASE help me! I am so close to a divorce.  I know I have not been unfaithful to my husband and I could never picture him doing this to me.  I can't stop crying and worrying and I can't get in to see my Doc. for a week now.  I need help.

[hannah1206]

A related discussion, chlamydia was started.

[worried_lass]

A related discussion, please shed sum light was started.

[annabella43]

A related discussion, is it possible was started.

[scared out of her mind]

i recently got tested for chlamydia and a yeast infection with a swab test.she told me i had to wait 15 minutes for the results. when she came back she said she didnt find anything just a slight yeast infection.then she said that the results will be in the mail unless they find something wrong theyll call me.what does that mean?does that mean that only my results for the yeast infection were looked at?how long does it take for chlamydia results?
-scared out of her mind

[newgirlfriend]

Thank you for the response... Is it possible that Mr Great Potential did not get it from me?  He has not mentioned any of the symptoms... I know it is possible he wouldn't have symptoms yet or at all... This is going to be awful!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Unfortunately, there is no way to know how long you were infected or whether you acquired your chlamydial infection from Mr. Casual or Mr. Great Potential.  And if you got it from the first guy, there is no way to know whether you transmitted it to no. 2.  You need to inform both of them of your infection and make sure both get treated--and preferably tested.  Failure to treat Mr. Potential not only risks his health, but it especially risks yours:  repeat chlamydial infections are more dangerous than initial infections, so if you get it back because he isn't treated, you will be at increased risk of tubal infection and infertility.

Bottom line:  it may not be pleasant, but you've got to tell them.  Don't mess around with this.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[newgirlfriend]

I have a question along these lines - I am recently separated from my husband.  Shortly after separation I had several nights with a guy that is no longer in the picture. There were a few times without condoms, although he never ejaculated.  I am now seeing a guy that I am growing very close to... see definite potential with.  I went to my GYN last week and tested positive for Chlamydia.  I had only slept (unprotected) with my new boyfriend for the first time 7 days earlier.  Is it possible that HE gave me the STD, not the previous partner?  Would the results have been positive only 7 days after being infected?  And (the question I am most afraid of hearing the answer to)... if the first guy gave it to me, is it 100% likely that I passed it on to my new boyfriend?  Is there any chance at all that he did not get it from me?  I don't know how to tell him that I got these results.  Also - Will my doctor be able to estimate how long I've been infected?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

PID and chlamydia can have the same symptoms, but don't always.  PID is a complication of chlamydia, but also of other infections.  PID sometimes occurs from things other than STDs, and your IUD is a possible source.

Whether or not your chlamydia test is falsely positive depends partly on the specific test your doctor did.  If it was a "nucleic acid amplification test" (common trade names are Aptima, Probe-Tec, and Amplicor), then the test almost certainly is reliable, that is you definitely have it.  If you had a "non-amplified probe test", such as the Gen-Probe Pace II test, then it might be falsely positive.  However, in most women with PID and a positive chlamydia test of any kind, the test is accurate.

Women can carry chlamydia for months and sometimes for years; it isn't common, but it happens.  It probably happens in men as well, but much more rarely.  Therefore, if you have chlamydia, it is more likely you acquired it sexually, and fairly recently.  Sorrry, I can't sugar-coat it.

Clearly you need to have a frank conversation with your husband.  But be open and honest, and concerned more than angry.  An accusatory, fearful approach usually doesn't work very well as a starting point.  There may be an innocent explanation for all this, so start out giving him the benefit of the doubt.  At the same time, if he is infected and infected you, both of you need to know and deal with it.

Good luck--  HHH, MD