Can Chlamydia be Dormant and Undetected?
Many people think that STDs are conspicuous diseases. In other words, they expect STDs to produce a lot of obvious symptoms –– and for those symptoms to appear quickly. Yet, the reality is that it’s impossible to tell if you have an STD immediately after contraction. In fact, lots of people who have STDs never experience any symptoms at all. This leads us to our question of the day –– can chlamydia be dormant and undetected? There are two parts to the answer. First, yes, chlamydia can lie unnoticed for long periods of time. However, even if chlamydia remains asymptomatic, tests can still detect its presence.
“Dormant” STDs
Most STDs can occur asymptomatically. Furthermore, sometimes STD symptoms only appear for a brief period of time before they disappear. Still, it’s not accurate to refer to these STDs as strictly dormant. Just because you don’t notice any symptoms, it doesn’t mean that the STD has “gone away,” or that it’s inactive. Rather, just the opposite is true. And, left untreated, STDs can cause a litany of serious problems ranging from infertility, to pregnancy complications, to death.
Note also that individuals may transmit or contract STDs even if no symptoms are present. So it’s highly probable (if not a complete certainty) that many people spread STDs without realizing it.
Visual Examinations
Because STDs are so often asymptomatic, visual examinations are insufficient to determine whether or not a person has an STD. This includes procedures like pap smears or prostate exams. You can’t tell if someone has an STD just by looking at them. What’s more, even when symptoms are apparent, they may seem similar to other conditions like yeast infections or acne.
STD Testing
Thankfully, modern STD tests do not rely on the presence of symptoms to detect STDs. Rather, STD tests require a small sample from an individual. Typically, this is either a small amount of urine or saliva. Some STDs –– like HIV –– do require blood tests. In some instances, doctors may collect a cell sample from a patient for testing purposes.
Not only is modern STD testing capable of accurately detecting asymptomatic diseases accurately, but it’s safe, fast, and completely painless.
Dealing with STD Test Results
If you’ve never experienced any STD symptoms before, it can be quite a shock to get a positive STD test result. The good news here is that the sooner you get tested, the sooner you can get treated. And many STDs –– including chlamydia –– can be cured completely with antibiotics. Even those that can’t, can now be managed with treatment more effectively than at any time in the past.
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Hello thank you for this great information. I was recently told by a previous sexual partner that she tested positive for chlamydia. I went to get checked and to no surprise I also had it . I had to break the news to my new sexual partner, she went and got texted but her results came back clean. We’ve had sex about 3 times and she got tested 4 weeks after our first time having sex unprotected. How is it possible for her test to come out clean if I most likely had it when we were sexually active?
ReplyGreat question. It’s possible that your new sexual partner tested negative for chlamydia because the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not guaranteed with every instance of sexual contact. The chances of spreading an STI like chlamydia can vary based on many factors, such as the strain of the bacterium involved, the type and duration of sexual activity, and individual immune responses.
It’s also important to note that chlamydia can sometimes not show up on tests immediately after exposure. It can take several weeks for the bacteria to multiply to levels that can be detected by the tests. Therefore, in situations like these, health professionals usually advise retesting a few weeks after the initial test, to be certain that the infection has not been missed.
It’s fantastic that your partner tested negative, but she should still continue with regular testing until your tests results are negative too. Always remember to use protective measures like condoms to lower the risk of transmitting or getting STIs.
ReplyMy boyfriend of almost two years just tested positive for chlamydia. He swears that he hasn’t cheated. I was tested in Jan 2022 at a check up, and tested negative, which was 4 months into us dating. He hadn’t been tested since before we started dating, and only got tested reecently because he went to see the doctor about swollen lymph nodes and they recommended he updated his sexual health check while he was there. He got swollen lymph nodes 2 weeks after being at a festival where a cup of urine was thrown into the crowd and landed on him and two friends. He told me when that happened (4 weeks ago, and confirmation from his friends as well that it happened) that some got in his mouth, and 2 weeks after that is when he started presenting symptoms of chlamydia (swollen nodes, throat pain, testicle pain). Is it possible that this is where he could have contracted it? Is he lying and had to have cheated if I tested negative so early into the relationship? Based on how he has been in our relationship and how well I think I know him, there is no reason to think he would lie/cheat, and my sister and best friend agree it wouldn’t be like him. But I’m just so confused as to how he could suddenly have chlamydia.
ReplyChlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted bacterium that most commonly infects the urogenital tract. Chlamydia is primarily spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Direct mucous membrane-to-mucous membrane contact with an infected person’s secretions is the most common way the bacteria are transmitted.
While urine from an infected person may contain some chlamydial bacteria, the risk of transmission via urine exposure (e.g., from a toilet seat or other casual contact like you described) is considered
extremely low to virtually nonexistent. The environment outside of the body is generally inhospitable to the bacteria, and casual contact does not provide the conditions needed for the bacteria to infect a new host.
Have him also show the release he signed from the festival. Tossing urine on somoene, including an audience could be considered assault even if animal urine. You will have to draw your on conclusions to the validity of his story.
Get tested and treated as soon as possible.
ReplyMy partner and I have been dating for 7 months and have not slept with anyone else. I had tested negative in August of 2022 and then we started to date in December of 2022. My partner just tested positive for chlamydia 3 weeks ago, but I do not have any symptoms. I am confused as to why he just got symptoms after 7 months if I had carried the infection since when we met?
ReplyDoes it take a while in order for the symptoms of chlamydia to show up on a partner if the other partner is asymptomatic?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. It is possible for someone to be infected with chlamydia and not show any symptoms, which is known as being asymptomatic. When one partner has chlamydia and the other does not, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the infection was present since they first met.
The time it takes for symptoms to appear can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience symptoms within a few weeks of exposure, while others may not have any symptoms for months or even years. Additionally, some people may never develop noticeable symptoms but can still transmit the infection to their partners.
It’s important to note that testing negative in August does not guarantee that you were free from chlamydia at that time. It’s possible to contract the infection after being tested and before starting your relationship in December.
If your partner has tested positive for chlamydia, it’s recommended that you also get tested even if you don’t have any symptoms. Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics, so early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or infertility if left untreated.
I encourage both you and your partner to visit a healthcare professional or a sexual health clinic for testing and appropriate treatment if necessary. They will be able to provide accurate information based on your specific situation.
ReplyThank you for this information. I’ve been in a monogamous relationship for 4 years but recently tested positive for chlamydia. Both my partner and I swear we have never slept with anyone else so it’s hard to determine where this may have come from. Is it possible that one of us may have carried it these past 4 years and it just went undetected? Or is it even remotely possible to catch it through non-sexual means?
ReplyThe most likely circumstance is a past infection, never exhibited symptoms, never tested and of course carried the infection. Many times, women have Chlamydia without any symptoms at all until a partner begins to experience symptoms, gets checked and then awareness is accomplished. We recommend people get tested with any new relationship, but also periodically just for this reason. We’ve also had many cases of someone not testing at the end of a relationship, not realizing their partner was active with someone else, who also didn’t have symptoms and passed an infection on to them.
ReplyHello thank you for this information I wanted to ask some questions I’ve been in a relationship for 3 years and tested positive for chlamydia and I have been faithful the whole 3 years and my partner went and got tested and his results were negative and I was confused because my results had came back positive I was treated for chlamydia but he wasn’t because his results were negative so by me asking do you think I had gotten a false positive
ReplyYes, you likely had a lower quality test that was in fact a false negative. Some tests on the market have poor results and while they are cheaper, it’s a case of getting what you pay for. Many of those also require retesting, because of the low quality. Give us a call and we can get you a reliable, FDA approved test at one of our CLIA certified labs with results you can count on. We also offer partner treatment, without them needing to test, both a time and cost saver!
ReplyI had the same thing happen and we went to a very reliable test center. Lanae..did you figure out how it happened? Can the std be dormant and undetected for months or years then show up? Is that rare?
ReplyWell the term “dormant” is what can be confusing. STD’s are infections and just like any infection, some people exhibit no symptoms. Having no symptoms is absolutely not the same has being infection free. STD’s with or without symptoms are transmitted just as often so be sure to get tested!
ReplyMy husband and I have been together for 2 years. I am pregnant with our second child. I have tested negative 3 times since being with him and have had no other sexual partners. I just tested again and I came back positive for chlamydia. He’s saying he hasn’t cheated. He had chlamydia with his previous partner (more than 2 years ago) and was treated but never tested again. My question is, is it possible to be a carrier for that long and not pass it on to your partner? He hasn’t been tested since we’ve been together (except after my positive result). Only I have. Does this happen? Can someone go that long without spreading chlamydia? I’m not sure if it will matter, but I’m in my early 30s, he’s in his mid 20s. I’m getting mixed answers from doctors and would just like to know if this can actually happen.
ReplyChlamydia is a bacterial infection that is commonly transmitted through sexual contact. In response to your questions regarding your situation, here’s are some things to keep in mind:
Delayed Symptoms: It’s possible for chlamydia to be asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) for a long time. Some people can carry the infection without knowing it. They can infect others however.
Testing: If he was treated for chlamydia in the past and never tested again, there’s a possibility that the treatment wasn’t effective and he could still be carrying the bacteria. It’s generally recommended to be re-tested after treatment to ensure the infection has been cleared.
Transmission: While it would be unusual for someone to carry chlamydia for years and not transmit it to their partner, especially in a relationship with regular sexual contact, it’s not entirely impossible. There are many factors that can influence the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, and it’s difficult to determine exact probabilities for individual cases.
Other Potential Sources of Infection: It’s worth noting that while sexual transmission is the most common route for chlamydia, it’s also possible (though less likely) to contract it through sharing contaminated sex toys or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. However, it sounds like your primary exposure risk would be through your husband.
Medical Opinions: It’s not uncommon for doctors to have different opinions based on their own experiences and the latest research they’ve read. Medicine, especially when it comes to unusual presentations of diseases, is not always black and white.
Communication: It’s crucial to have open communication with your husband about this situation. Trust is vital in a relationship, and while medical uncertainties can create doubts, it’s essential to discuss your feelings, concerns, and plans for the future.
Retesting and Treatment: Both you and your husband should be treated for chlamydia and should avoid sexual contact until you’ve both completed treatment and have been re-tested to confirm the infection is gone.
In conclusion, while it’s uncommon for someone to carry chlamydia for an extended period without transmitting it to their partner, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility. However, the situation you describe does bring up several questions and uncertainties. It is essential to work with your healthcare provider to address these concerns and determine the best course of action moving forward.
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