Questions regarding chlamdiya

[h5444]

Hi Doc,
I have some questions and hope you can help.

I noticed a discharge from my penis about 2 weeks ago.  I went to see a doctor to check it out.  He started me on a 7 day course of doxycycline.    Today is the last day of my treatment.  The doctor took a swap test and a urine sample.  And my results came back positive for Chlamydia.

I have not had sex in approximately 9 months.  I contacted my ex girlfriend and she was tested. Her results were negative.  

•     How long can Chlamydia be dormant in my system?  

•     Is it common that my ex would be negative while I was positive?  

•     How many years back do I need to consider to contact former partners? I have had 2 partners in the past 3.5 years (both were relationships that lasted about a year).

•     Should I have any additional tests?  

•     I have a burning sensation when I urinate- but have not noticed discharge, is this normal?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This interesting and, in fact, a very unusual situation.  Although chlamydia can persist for a year or more, this seems to be uncommon in men.  Such persistence is more common in women, but even in them, most infections clear up on their own within a year.  However, this has not been researched in any detail among men, and I'm sure occasional infections can last as long as yours apparently has.  But the other atypical aspect here is the apparent delayed onset of symptoms.  Many men get chlamydia without ever developing discharge or urinary discomfort, but when there are symptoms, they usually show up within a couple of weeks.  Of course I take you at your word that you haven't had sex for 9 months, but I am surprised to hear of a case like this.

That answers your question about the duration of persistent ("dormant") infection.  As for your ex partner, it is entirely possible for her to have been infected and have a negative test now.  As implied above, most infections -- even in women -- clear up on their own over time.  Most likely she would have had a positive test if tested around the time your relationship ended.  Still, she should be treated with antibiotics; it is possible she still has a low-level infection that was missed by the lab test.  I wouldn't go back to contact more distant sex partners; the chance any of them have such prolonged infections is very low.

Mild symptoms can persist for a couple of weeks, and doxycycline always is effective in eradicating chlamydia -- so effective that follow-up testing usually is not recommended.  You can expect the mild persisting symptoms to continue to improve.  But if you're still having any urinary discomfort after 3-4 weeks, or if discharge reappears, return to your provider for another evaluation.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

False positive tests for chlamydia can happen but are uncommon with modern test methods.  That entered my mind as a possibility, but in combination with such typical symptoms (despite their delayed onset), I believe the test was correct.

[h5444]

Thanks for your help.

Is there any way the test was incorrect?  

[h5444]

sorry make that a 10 day treatment of docxycyline