Ive been told I have chlamydia, does this mean my hubby has been unfaithful??

[LynseyLoo]

Ive been with my hubby for over 12 years and married for 8. For ages Ive been feeling like Im extremely smelly "down below" - I mentioned it to the nurse last year and she took swabs which all the results came back negative so I just assumed my body had changed since having my kids (ages 4 and 20 months). I was back at the nurse last week and again mentioned Im still feeling its no better so she took more swabs then today I get a call to say I have Chlamydia!! I know I havent been near anybody else so does this mean that my hubby has? Ive asked him and he swears blind he hasnt but should I believe him? Obviously it cant just come out of thin air but I suppose it has to originate somewhere doesnt it? I dont know whether to believe him or not - all I know is Im not impressed that I have it!! Any help or advice would be much appreciated x

[Toothsmith]

Useful page.

http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_AZ/hiv_and_sti/sti-chlamydia/general.htm#how

I think the thing with Chlamydia is that an awful lot of people have no symptoms.

If the first test was correct, then someone has been playing away, but I would ask about the chances of a false negative from that test, as it seems like the symptoms were present at the time of that test.

Either you or your partner could possibly have had it for a long time. Not sure why the symptoms should come to light now though. I can't find anything about whether quiet infections suddenly start giving symptoms.

Your hubby is pretty certain to be infected as well, so it will be a trip to the doctors for both of you.

[johnroberts07]

Someone has had sex away to catch it, it can stay dormant for up to 5 years

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Chlamydia secrets and lies (http://www.parkhurstexchange.com/qa/A.php?q=/qa/Infection/2000-05-39.qa) "How long can chlamydia lie dormant in a woman before she tests positive?"asks EUGENE RIES, MD, of Cranbrook, BC, adding, "A patient who's now positive for chlamydia, but asymptomatic, wonders if she got it from a previous partner three years ago. Her husband also denies having other partners in the last three years." </STRONG>

There are three possible explanations for this scenario. First, the test may represent a false positive result. To be sure, repeat the test and find out from the laboratory which diagnostic procedure was used and whether a confirmatory test was performed. Second, the patient or her partner may be lying about their sexual history. Why was an asymptomatic woman in an apparently monogamous relationship screened in the first place? If she requested the test, I'd be particularly concerned about the reliability of her sexual history. Persistent or chronic asymptomatic chlamydial infection is well-described in women. Untreated cervical infection can still be detected in 80% of women when testing is repeated two or more months later. In a small study of 14 infected college women who were followed for a minimum of 15 months without specific therapy, seven remained positive on repeat testing. Can Chlamydia trachomatis persist asymptomatically for three or more years? It's entirely possible -- but the other two potential explanations seem more likely. DM

This reply says that dormancy for 4 years would be exceptional. (http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/1292.html)

[keelykat]

It looks as if he's caught this from someone else, i highly doubt the first test would have been wrong.....but i would ask to check this out at the doctors. I cant imagine tests being wrong-but obviously for you-a false result would be good news for you.

Deep down in your heart-do you trust him? Its a difficult situation to be in...

But its good that youve found out now-it can affect your fertility if left untreated for a long time.

keely.

[skyrocket]

This very thing happened to my best friend. She had only slept with one man before she met her husband and was with her husband for 6 years before they actually married. On her honeymoon, the very first time they had unprotected sex she fell pregnant. When their daughter was 5 they tried for another baby - nothing happened. After a year of trying she went to the doctors and tests began to find out if there was a problem. It turns out she had chlamydia.
She had all sorts of awful fertility problems as a result.
Her husband immediately blamed her for the chlamydia and said it must have been from the twice she had sex with the guy she went out with before her husband.
When she told me I found it highly improbable that she had had chlamydia for at least 6 years and yet got pregnant immediately with her daughter! Surely it would have affected her fertility by then? :confused:
I told her I felt it was more likely that her husband had been playing away (he worked away in different countries then and was away for long periods of time) but she refused to believe this. She never questioned his sexual history. I remember thinking they had a very strange relationship. Anyway he knew what I thought and told her he didnt want me round there any more (she was my best friend from school) so that was that. On the bright side they have had two more children since then so if it has affected your fertility then there is always hope.
But I for one find it strange that someone could have a sexually transmitted disease for 12 years before it was diagnosed! :confused:
xx

[hardpressed]

Are you sure they tested for chlamydia the first time? Why not go back and have a chat with the nurse just to make sure.

[LynseyLoo]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your replies so far. Yes, Im positive that Chlamydia was checked for the first time because I remember being mortified that the nurse was checking for it and then so relieved when the result was negative. Ive spoken to my hubby again and he is happy to go to the nurse and be checked and treated also so I have to give him credit for that too I think? x

[keelykat]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your replies so far. Yes, Im positive that Chlamydia was checked for the first time because I remember being mortified that the nurse was checking for it and then so relieved when the result was negative. Ive spoken to my hubby again and he is happy to go to the nurse and be checked and treated also so I have to give him credit for that too I think? x

He may be genuine-but he could also go another way and accuse you of passing it no to him...which obviously isnt nice either.

I dont really know what to add, i just hope you can work things out whatever the outcome. Ill keep my fingers crossed for you.

keely.