My Partner Recently Just Told Me That He Tested Positive

Posted on Thu, 15 Aug 2019

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

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 Answered on

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Question : My partner recently just told me that he tested positive for Chlamydia. I immediately went to go get tested and my test results came back negative. My ex who I thought I contracted it from also came back negative. I understand that my partner could have gotten it from someone else but I’m not understanding how I don’t have it if we had unprotected sex within the time he got tested. We had sex August 3rd and 4rd and again on the 9th. He got tested on the 8th and his results came back positive on the 10th. Between the first day we had sex and the day I got tested, which was on the 11th, is a 9 day window period? I just got my results back yesterday which was the 13th. Isn’t that more than enough time for Chlamydia to be detected? I’ve had no symptoms and nether did he. A urine test was performed because I was menstruating. Can a urine test come back negative? Do i need a swab test? How am I negative? I’m considering getting retested but I’m not sure if I should wait. Could it be a false negative? Also, when I got tested the told me I had an UTI and prescribed me antibiotics, if i retest can that affect the results?

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chlamydia infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

The incubation period of chlamydia is quite variable and may range from days to months after the initial exposure.
The average time from exposure to the development of symptoms is usually about one to three weeks after sexual contact with an infected person.
During the incubation period,the patient would test negative and that might be the fact in your case.

As chlamydia is contagious and you had unprotected exposure to the infection,you should continue the antibiotic course as prescribed.
Usually Azithromycin or Doxycycline are prescribed for a period of one week.
As a protocol,both the partners are treated simultaneously.

Encourage your partner to continue and complete his treatment as chlamydia at times lie dormant in the body for years and might be asymptomatic too (specially in males).
Use protection while getting engaged in sex.

Usually the urine test for chlamydia is a reliable screen but no lab.test is 100 percent correct and chances of a false negative can not be ruled out.

I would advise you to repeat the urine test and go for swab culture (and direct demonstration of chlamydia) after a period of 3 weeks(usual incubation period).It can be done by a pap smear.

You can take your venerologist in the loop,who will guide you through further couse of action.

If you have any further queries or doubts,please let me know.

Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj