Resolved question:
Hi, my name is David. I'm a 32 year old, gay male. Within the past year, I've dated 4 guys. However, the only sexual activity I engaged in was oral sex (mostly on the receiving end). Last week, I went to the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles, Ca to get tested for HIV and STDs. I was tested specifically for chlamydia, gonorrhrea and syphlils. For the chlamydia test, they swabed my thoat, made me urinate in a cup and take a swab of my rectum. All the results came out negative, except for the rectal test. I was found positive for rectal chlamydia. However, I've never engaged in any anal sex. Although, it's possible that one of the guys I dated may have rubbed his gentital near my rectum (without a condom). No anal sex took place. However, that's the only contact that I could think.
At any rate, the clinic treated me with a one-time dose of antibiotics and wants me to come back and re-test within 3 weeks, providing that I avoid all sexual activity.
I'm just wondering how I could have tested positive for rectal chalmydia. I'm always very careful. Should I have anything to worry about? HIV and everything else was negative.
Thank you for your time.
Also, I never had any symptoms or anything. It might also be worth noting, that I swabed my rectum to get the sample, and then placed the sample in a test tube solution and broke off the end of the swab before sealing the tube with the cap. I would have felt more comfortable if the clinic had collected the sample from my rectum because I didn't think that I gave enough of a sample. They told me to place the swab an inch into my rectum, but I couldn't do this. I just did my best to swab around the rectum.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I am Dr. Jay and I am pleased to assist you.
Do you have any previous history of unprotected intercourse?
Yes, since you never had anal sex in the past one year, you should have tested negative for chlamydia. Now the only way this could have happened is if the guy who touched your anus with his penis, could have had precum that came in contact with the anus and he transmitted the infection to you.
When it comes to other infections though, since there was no unprotected intercourse, you should not worry.
Moreover. both chlamydia and gonorrhoea if diagnosed early, can be treated easily.
Please feel free to discuss further,
Dr. Jay
Hi Dr. Jay,
Thank you so much for the reply. To answer your question, I've never had any previous history of unprotected intercourse. The most risky thing I've engaged in is oral sex without a condom, but no semen has ever been in my mouth and swallowed. I realize oral sex definitely carries risk, and I need to be more careful. I was just really surprised at the positive rectal chlamydia result, but after what you explained to me, it's definitely a possibly that the guy I was seeing could have touched my anus with his penis. At any rate, I go back to the clinic on March 19th to get retested. I just got insurance through my job, so I couldn't get in to see a primary care physician until April, and I was just worried. But, you've really given me some peace of mind, and I thank you again.
David Miller
Hello David,
I am glad I could give you some peace of mind.
You seem to know all the right methods of avoiding getting any STD and that is something a lot of people are not aware about.
Regarding chlamydia, the infection can be treated easily and does not recur.
Hope this consultation was beneficial,
Regards.