Does Chlamydial Infection Reccur Despite Taking Antibiotics?

Posted on Mon, 30 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 Answered on

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hello Doctor, was wondering if you can help me. I have recently tested postitive for chlamydia. I was prescribed antibiotics and in my follow-up test, I tested negative. However, I am still feeling a little tingling in my penis and feel that I am urinating frequently. Is it common for some symptoms to persist even after being treated and testing negative?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer: DETAILED BELOW Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing to us with your health concern. Could you tell me how long back was the infection diagnosed, and when did you test negative for the same ? Chlamydial infections are notorious for recurrence and persistence. Also, it is sexually transmitted, so it is vital for your partner ( s ) also to be treated. If this was not done, the infection might keep getting transmitted back and forth repeatedly. Was this done in your case ? Similarly, if the symptoms are reappearing, then a re infection is likely. This would need to be diagnosed and treated with higher antibiotics this time around. This occurs in around 10 - 20 % of patients with Chlamydial urethritis. If the infection just recently cleared away ( I mean, if you tested negative just recently, only a few days back for example ) - then it is possible that the residual symptoms of the UTI are lingering, and they would clear off in a few days. Please drink lots of water, atleast 4 - 5 litres per day. Refrain from sexual activity unless your partner too has been treated. Please let me know the requisite details I asked for, so that I can help further. All the best. Please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 minutes later)

Tested positive on December 4th. Tested negative on December 19th.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer: RE INFECTION LIKELY Detailed Answer: Well then by now the symptoms should have definitely subsided. It is possible that you are having a re infection, particularly if your partner was untreated.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (30 minutes later)

There is no doubt that they have subsided significantly. I was getting really bad burning when i urinated before the antibiotics and a sharp sensation on the tip of my penis. Now i just feel like i am urinating frequently but no burning at all. And maybe once or twice a day that sharp feeling. Where as before it was constant.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer: DETAILED BELOW Detailed Answer: If the symptoms have noticeably lessened, then do not worry. As I said, keep drinking lots of fluids and avoid sexual contact till they have completely cleared. As you are feeling significantly better, give it a few more days, and it should clear off. All the best.

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar