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Is Chlamydia Infection Curable?

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Posted on Sat, 20 Sep 2014
Question: Dear Doctor, I had a exposure to HIV/STD on 19th April 2014. I did complete blood test for HIV and STDs after 14 weeks i.e. on 28th July. All the results were negative except for Chlamydia pneumoniae,IgG which was shown as Equivocal as re-testing was advised after 14 days. I did the test again after approx 1 month and the result increased to 0.44 from the last 0.18, however it is still showing as Equivocal, moreover the other test Chlamydia trachomatis, IgG that was negative in July turned to equivocal in August. I need your advice on the below;
1. What are these two test and what I should do next, should i wait for them to turn postive or start medication? Are these curable 100%?
2. I have being having normal intercourse with my wife, should she also get tested for all STDs?
3. All these test were done in XXXXXXX are all the STDs covered in the test done or there is any STD that is not tested yet.
4. I understand that the window period for HIV is 3 months, please advice what is the window period for STD. Do I have to re-test for the STD which were negative at 3 months.

Thanks & Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No need of any further testing; you are clear.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I have gone through your complete query and can understand the concern for the possibility of various Sexually Transmitted Diseases including HIV and Chlamydia.

Let me assure you first that you are free from HIV most importantly. Now for the part of your rest of the queries which you can now understand with ease:

1. What are these two test and what I should do next, should i wait for them to turn postive or start medication? Are these curable 100%?

@ I quite often see your kind of test results where there is equivocal results are coming. There is lot of concern for the equivocal result. It actually doesn't mean positive result and we do not give any medication till any test is positive.
In your case too its is quite below the positive value so if I were your treating doctor then would not had prescribed any medication. Anyhow in some cases where the person is really very much anxious then a presumptive course of medication can be given.

Chlamydia is cent percent curable and there is no need to be worried for the same.

2. I have being having normal intercourse with my wife, should she also get tested for all STDs?

@ Your wife do not need any testing for STDs. Even if you want then can just go for Chlamydia testing.

3. All these test were done in XXXXXXX are all the STDs covered in the test done or there is any STD that is not tested yet.

@ I have gone through your complete reports and after analyzing all the tests and results I am happy to say that you do not require any further testing and all the tests were covered in it.

4. I understand that the window period for HIV is 3 months, please advice what is the window period for STD. Do I have to re-test for the STD which were negative at 3 months.

@You got all the tests done at 14 weeks of period which is quite sufficient period for all the tests. A window period is the time period between the entry of the microorganism in the body till its detectability by various tests. In my view as well as academically speaking 14 weeks of period is more than sufficient period for all the tests related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

I hope this information will help you and relax your mind completely. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (14 minutes later)
Thanks for the feedback; I have few more doubts;
1. If the values for result are increasing, doesn't it mean that the infection is increasing and testing should be repeated? In fact one of the test turned equivocal from negative in a span of 1 month. This the reason i am so worried.
2. Secondly on the internet it is mentioned that the testing for Chlamydia is done through urine test, however in my case it was a blood sample. Is my test valid?
3. I read on internet that there is one more STD called Gonorrhea, I believe I have not tested for this, kindly advice.
What are two sub results of the Chlamydia test i.e. Chlamydia trachomatis IgG and Chlamydophila pneumoniae, IgG? Kindly advice

Is mediation for Chlamydia available in India?
Reference - XXXXXXX/
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: no tests required

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

Thanks a lot for your swift follow up.

Now for your further query of increasing results: These tests are based on optical density (OD) value of the test. An OD value is an optical density of the test by which we declare the test positive or negative. The serum and the test contents illuminate a light according to its presence or absence of antibodies against particular virus or bacteria. Even if it is negative ( not present in the blood) then also there is some illumination if light by the test contents which is a normal natural scientific fact. This may vary from one test to other and we quite often see an increase and decrease in value which is actually of no significance. It may vary form one test kit to other at different times. So do not get anxious and confused for the same.

So do not worry about these values and I assure you fully that these are totally correct and declare you negative.

For your second query: The blood testing is the most advanced form of testing which can never go wrong. Now a days most of the advanced labs are using this test by blood. Though at certain center we may find it with urine too but I myself prefer to go with blood.

For gonorrhea: it is one of the STD which manifest very first or second day of exposure. It manifest as profuse pus discharge form the urethra which is really troublesome. I must praise the person who suggested you the testing, to not to recommend you for gonorrhea testing as it is not required according to your good health status.

I hope these informations will relax your mind. I will be glad to answer any further queries.

With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (34 minutes later)
Thanks for your detailed answer, however i still have a anxious question.

1. If I am negative for Chlamydia then why it is not coming clearly in the result as NEGATIVE. Doesn't it mean that there are some virus/bacteria in the blood that may increase/multiply and make me positive for the disease after some time.

2. Secondly I am confused by your answer on gonorrhea; is testing required or not. Even if i am in good health i think its always better to be sure. Which test should be done for gonorrhea?

I am be repetitive, this is just anxiety that i wish to clear.

Thanks....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
All chlamydia values are under negative results

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome again to the forum and thanks for swift follow up.

First and foremost I beg your pardon for seeing your test results in the same way as you looked into it. And therefore I got biased in the same manner as you got!!!

Since the beginning you are looking at the results as equivocal but now see the result again.

If you can see the result then can interpret that your all the test results are negative including that for chlamydia too !!!

You can see the first test done on 28 July 2014. It interprets the results as 0.07 and 0.18. Both of these values are much below the equivocal limit of 0.8 (0.80) and therefore your test was negative on 28 July 2014.

You also see the next test done on 23 August 2014. It interprets the results as 0.08 and 0.44. Both of these values are again much below the equivocal limit of 0.8 (0.80) and therefore your test was also negative on 23 August 2014.

So interpreting all the values again: 0.07 < 0.18 < 0.8 (0.80)

& 0.08 < 0.44 <0.8 (0.80)

Probably I am able to explain you the mathematical interpretation where .18 is quite lower than .80 and .44 is again quite lower than .80 again.

So all the values are under the negative results. Just don't get confused now and relax completely.

I have already given you the interpretation of increase and decrease in the values because of optical density of the tests.

For the part of gonorrhea: I again reassure you that you do not require any testing. Even if you want to go for the testing then a urine examination by gram staining and culture can be done. A latest test with PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is also done by many labs. In my view it would be negative as you do not have any history of white profuse discharge from urethra.

Just don't be anxious now as all the clouds of confusion are clear and we can see the crystal clear things of your good health.

I hope this information will help you and relax your mind completely. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (2 hours later)
Dear Doctor,

Thanks a ton for the detailed clarification. Its was simple math but as the stress and anxiety was always there in my mind I was thinking negative. Thank you very much for your help. After seeing your answer I think I don't need any further test.

Thanks again. God bless you.

Good Luck.

Regards....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
My all best wishes for your healthy life ahead.

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

Welcome again to the forum and thanks a million for your appreciation.

Your appreciation is a continuous source of energy to work best in the field of medical sciences.

I am also thankful to you that you got my suggestions and I was able to explain you the mathematical facts behind behind medical secrets!!!!

I think you do not require any further clarifications. Even if you have any then I will be glad to guide you for the same and if not then can close the query and rate the answer.

My all good wishes for your healthy life ahead.

May God bless you.

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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Is Chlamydia Infection Curable?

Brief Answer: No need of any further testing; you are clear. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I have gone through your complete query and can understand the concern for the possibility of various Sexually Transmitted Diseases including HIV and Chlamydia. Let me assure you first that you are free from HIV most importantly. Now for the part of your rest of the queries which you can now understand with ease: 1. What are these two test and what I should do next, should i wait for them to turn postive or start medication? Are these curable 100%? @ I quite often see your kind of test results where there is equivocal results are coming. There is lot of concern for the equivocal result. It actually doesn't mean positive result and we do not give any medication till any test is positive. In your case too its is quite below the positive value so if I were your treating doctor then would not had prescribed any medication. Anyhow in some cases where the person is really very much anxious then a presumptive course of medication can be given. Chlamydia is cent percent curable and there is no need to be worried for the same. 2. I have being having normal intercourse with my wife, should she also get tested for all STDs? @ Your wife do not need any testing for STDs. Even if you want then can just go for Chlamydia testing. 3. All these test were done in XXXXXXX are all the STDs covered in the test done or there is any STD that is not tested yet. @ I have gone through your complete reports and after analyzing all the tests and results I am happy to say that you do not require any further testing and all the tests were covered in it. 4. I understand that the window period for HIV is 3 months, please advice what is the window period for STD. Do I have to re-test for the STD which were negative at 3 months. @You got all the tests done at 14 weeks of period which is quite sufficient period for all the tests. A window period is the time period between the entry of the microorganism in the body till its detectability by various tests. In my view as well as academically speaking 14 weeks of period is more than sufficient period for all the tests related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases. I hope this information will help you and relax your mind completely. If you have further queries I will be happy to help. "Wish you good health" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases)