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STD Test Accuracy
I recently had protected intercourse with two workers in Shanghai. It was strictly protected vaginal intercourse and the condom did not break either time. A day after the most recent encounter (Mar 9th) I was masturbating with a lotion I have never used before. I noticed a slight burning in my urethra.
After a few days of noticing a redness in my urethra and a slight pain in my left testicle I went to get tested for STDs. This was 5 days after the last encounter. All tests came back negative. Because the symptoms did not subside I went back for a follow up examination and I was tested again for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea 13 days after the incident. I am still awaiting results. Additionally, I have notice a clear mucus discharge from my urethra.
How accurate is the test after 5 days? How accurate would the follow up test after 12 days be? Also, would my symptoms have resulted from the lotion and not from a contracted STD?
After a few days of noticing a redness in my urethra and a slight pain in my left testicle I went to get tested for STDs. This was 5 days after the last encounter. All tests came back negative. Because the symptoms did not subside I went back for a follow up examination and I was tested again for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea 13 days after the incident. I am still awaiting results. Additionally, I have notice a clear mucus discharge from my urethra.
How accurate is the test after 5 days? How accurate would the follow up test after 12 days be? Also, would my symptoms have resulted from the lotion and not from a contracted STD?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
The chlamydia PCR is highly specific (99-100%) with a sensitivity of 85-90%. The window period of the test is 2-7 days and by 13th day after sexual exposure it should come positive.
I can understand your concern for the tests after taking doxycyclne but as a rule also, Chlamydia-infected women and men should be retested approximately 3 months after treatment, regardless of whether their partners got the treatment or not.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you get better soon.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for writing back.
The chlamydia PCR is highly specific (99-100%) with a sensitivity of 85-90%. The window period of the test is 2-7 days and by 13th day after sexual exposure it should come positive.
I can understand your concern for the tests after taking doxycyclne but as a rule also, Chlamydia-infected women and men should be retested approximately 3 months after treatment, regardless of whether their partners got the treatment or not.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you get better soon.
Wishing you good health.
As a quick update I have received my test results back from the PCR tests and it was negative for both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. My only real concern now is that I have taken the Doxcycline for the past five days and this might have skewed the results. I just want to know if this 2 week test can be conclusive.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thank you for the quick response. How accurate would a PCR test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea be after a 13 day period? Additionally I was given a week supply of doxycycline as a precautionary measure. I have taken this for 5 days prior to my last test. Would this affect the result?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
I can understand your concern for these symptoms. From your post I understand that you had protected vaginal intercourse on two different occasions with no oral or anal intercourse and there was no leakage from the condom. In that case, chances of sexually transmitted diseases are very very less.
Usually Chlamydia and Gonorrhea spreads by unprotected vaginal, anal or oral intercourse but it is still not clear whether Chlamydia can be spread by transferring semen or infected vaginal fluid from the fingers to the genitalia. In men it usually causes a watery or cloudy discharge from the penis, pain on urination and pain in the testicles.
Regarding the tests, it is recommended waiting 1-5 days after chlamydia exposure and 2-6 days to test for gonorrhea after unprotected sexual intercourse.The accuracy of chlamydia tests depends on the kind of test used and the type of sample that is collected and retesting can be done after 2 weeks of the sexual intercourse as false negative test results can also be there. Hence it would be wise to repeat the tests if the symptoms persist even after 2 weeks of sexual exposure. Else you can opt for specific tests for Chlamydia which include Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT, to find the genetic material of Chlamydia), Nucleic acid hybridization tests (DNA probe test, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA), Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA) or chlamydia culture.
You will be getting the reports in a day or two. From the symptoms chances of a urinary tract infection and urethritis due to allergic reaction to the lotion are also there. It may cause similar symptoms of dysuria and a clear discharge from the penis. In that case, swab tests of the tip of penis and urethra will confirm the cause.
In that case, wash the area with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. Also wear cotton undergarments. Maintain hygiene and try to keep the area clean and dry, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Also use mild soap like dove. If allergic urethritis is suspected then taking oral antihistaminics may help.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you get better soon.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for posting your query.
I can understand your concern for these symptoms. From your post I understand that you had protected vaginal intercourse on two different occasions with no oral or anal intercourse and there was no leakage from the condom. In that case, chances of sexually transmitted diseases are very very less.
Usually Chlamydia and Gonorrhea spreads by unprotected vaginal, anal or oral intercourse but it is still not clear whether Chlamydia can be spread by transferring semen or infected vaginal fluid from the fingers to the genitalia. In men it usually causes a watery or cloudy discharge from the penis, pain on urination and pain in the testicles.
Regarding the tests, it is recommended waiting 1-5 days after chlamydia exposure and 2-6 days to test for gonorrhea after unprotected sexual intercourse.The accuracy of chlamydia tests depends on the kind of test used and the type of sample that is collected and retesting can be done after 2 weeks of the sexual intercourse as false negative test results can also be there. Hence it would be wise to repeat the tests if the symptoms persist even after 2 weeks of sexual exposure. Else you can opt for specific tests for Chlamydia which include Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT, to find the genetic material of Chlamydia), Nucleic acid hybridization tests (DNA probe test, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA), Direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA) or chlamydia culture.
You will be getting the reports in a day or two. From the symptoms chances of a urinary tract infection and urethritis due to allergic reaction to the lotion are also there. It may cause similar symptoms of dysuria and a clear discharge from the penis. In that case, swab tests of the tip of penis and urethra will confirm the cause.
In that case, wash the area with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. Also wear cotton undergarments. Maintain hygiene and try to keep the area clean and dry, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Also use mild soap like dove. If allergic urethritis is suspected then taking oral antihistaminics may help.
Hope that this information helps and hope that you get better soon.
Wishing you good health.
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