Time of Testing after finishing antibiotic

[SoMuch2Lose]

A little background on my situation.  I'm a white male (34) and I have been married 10 years and have never strayed outside the relationship until this past December when I let a situation go a little far and let a woman who I believe is very promiscuous (white and 40) give me brief fellatio.  I was sitting and not fully erect due to being nervous so I know I did not penetrate her mouth very deep.  This lasted about 2-3 mins tops before I told her to stop and that I was not the type that could let this go on.  I freaked out afterwards and she told me that she was d and d free.  I know she has a regular partner and I also know they have an open relationship but she assured me she always uses protection for anything other than oral. I know that the risk for stds are low and I feel certain that I did not contract gonorrhea or ngu due to never having any symptoms.  My reason for posting is that recently I have had the urge to urinate constantly with bladder pressure and have been very uncomfortable when sitting.  No pain when urinating just the constant urge to go (Caffeine seems to make this worse).  I went to the doctor due to these symptoms an he checked my urine for a uti witch came up negative.  He asked if I was having any discharge and I said no because I'm not.  He then sent my urine off for a culture and gave me 10 dys of cipro 500mg twice a day and said if it was bacterial then the cipro should cure it.  Although my urge has lessened, the uncomfortableness is still there after finishing cipro.  I have decided that this is probably a prostate problem but still want to get tested for stds.  I know if I'm positive that I will have to come clean with my with as I have had unprotected sex with her since then.  My question is, would taking a chlamydia test 5 days after finishing cipro be reliable or should I wait longer? Also, would chlamydia show up 7 months later with these symptoms?

[SoMuch2Lose]

I know the thread is over, but thought I would post again just in case anyone was following and in the same shoes as me.  I waited another 4 weeks and tested again (naat aptima) and results were negative just as I expected but I had to have that for peace of mind.  The funny thing is, I'm an educated guy with advanced degrees and logically I knew my problems were a manifestation of the psyche, but my pain was so real.  The mind is a crazy thing!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Final answer  Yes, the cipro might mask chlamydial infection, in theory.  In your case, please realize that you are testing only to deal with your unchecked anxiety and that there is close to no realistic chance that you have chlamydia.  

There will be no further answers as part of this thread.  EWH

[SoMuch2Lose]

One last question for clarification.  Would my chlamydia test (naat urine) taken 7 days after finishing a three day course of cipro following procedure from urologist pick up a chlamydia infection if I had one?  I keep thinking it could just simply mask an infection and I need to retest.  

[SoMuch2Lose]

Thank you Dr.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I think it is time for your to put this behind you.  You may need to wait out your symptoms and let them subside but I would not suggest furthter worry or testing.  Infections have been ruled out.  EWH

[SoMuch2Lose]

So I decided to test after the Uro appointment since he found no reason for my pain.  Both g and c test were negative.  This was 7 days after finishing 3 doses of cipro.  Is this test accurate and definitive?  If so I'm ready to put this behind me and hope my weird urology problems down below will soon subside.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry, I do not know for sure what a urologist would see with an infection.  Perhaps some signs of erythema would be seen.  EWH

[SoMuch2Lose]

I decided against testing since you really didn't see a need. Went to Uro last week and he did a DRE and ran a scope down my penis and said everything looked fine.  He really didn't think it was anything bacterial and gave me an alpha blocker and said he thought my pains would work themselves out.  I'm guessing I'm in dealing with CPPS now.  I'm just hoping things subside soon.  Just a hypothetical:  Do you think he would have seen signs of infection with the scope if my symptoms were caused from any sort of bacterial infection (std or other)?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Typically tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are done on the same speciment.  Chlamydial infections however are more likely to be asymptomatic.  I see no reason for testing at all. EWH

[SoMuch2Lose]

As a follow up.  In your opinion, would a gonorrhea test be a waste of $$ after completing 10 days of cipro.  I have definitely decided to take a chlamydia test, but was unsure of gonorrhea test.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help.  EWH

[SoMuch2Lose]

Thanks for your comment.  I will reply with results once tested.  I hope for my sake you are correct.  I was just worried that if I were tested too early then the results would be inaccurate.  I will plan to get tested prior to my Uro appointment which will be 11 days after finishing cipro.  I was going to go on tuesday which is 5 days after finishing but it sounds like that would be to soon based on your timeline as a "week or more".  Again, thanks for your help.  I think this is a great service.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes an STI test would be accurate in a few weeks.  Testing at any time a week or more after completing antibiotics will be reliable.  If you test,  I am confident the test will be negative.  EWH

[SoMuch2Lose]

I already have an appointment with the urologist in a couple of weeks but wanted to know if an std test would be accurate at this time just for peace of mind.  Not sure how long to wait post finishing cipro for a chlamydia test to be accurate.  I'm aware cipro wouldn't cure chlamydia.  Also, I was tested for HIV back in april and it was no reactive so I'm not worried there.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be pleased to comment. Hopefully you will be pleased that I agree 100% with your analysis.  The chance that this is an STI of any sort of incredibly low.  The reasons that I say this include the low risk nature of your exposure, both based on the type of exposure, the amount of time that has passed since then, and the fact that your symptoms, which we refer to in medicine as "urinary urgency" and possibly frequency is not a typical STI symptom.

I agree with your assessment that this is more likely to be a prostate issue than anything else.  If your ciprofloxacin does not help things, I suggest you see a urologist.  I would not worry about STI however.  EWH