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How Long After After Taking Zithromax Should One Test For Chlamydia?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016

Question: How long do you wait to retest after taking Zithromax for chlamydia? I think my doc tested me too soon and I think this is a false positive. Timeline, sex April 14. First test, April 27. Positive for chlamydia. May 2, take 1g zithromax. May 17, retest, May 23, still positive.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
What test is he doing?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

What test is your doctor doing. Please upload the full report to me for interpretation and a second opinion. There is a component of this test that remains positive after several weeks of treatment and as such must be interpreted very carefully. Please, upload the full report for interpretation.

I hope to hear from you soon and promise to return with a conclusive response as to what component is being requested and whether it is reported fully.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 minutes later)

I don't have the report. I hate this doctor, he hasn't been uploading results in the patient portal. They have been communicating everything by phone. Lucky, Labcorp should be sending me the results by 6:40 am tomorrow. He did NAAT chlamydia.

can you just answer the question? When you treat patients for chlamydia, how long do you wait to retest them for chlamydia?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It really depends on the test. Let me have the result tomorrow!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It depends on the test. If you are looking for antigenes, this can happen as early as two weeks after treatment. If you are looking for antibodies, you need to wait several months. To tell which is which and whether it is adequate or not, I need to have the report and see which of the testing procedure is being used. Let’s exercise some patience and we would get the results slip from labcorps tomorrow for more information.

I wish you well and keep me posted.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 minutes later)

Ok, I mean I thought it was just nucleic acid assay. Isn't that what NAAT is? I'm very frustrated by this doctor and I don't trust him anymore. Why is he not following CDC guidelines? Everything I read on CDC said wait 3 months to retest chlamydia. And my county health department said wait 30 days. I think he is testing too soon and this is false positive. Trust me, I have been abstinent since April 14th. I don't believe that Zithromax didn't work. How do you normally follow-up with your patients who test positive for chlamydia?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I do a control test in 3months!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I normally do a control test in 3months and that is it. He is probably testing too soon and I will conclude this tomorrow when the results come in. Keep calm as we would soon be addressing the real issue and get your worries cleared.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (21 minutes later)

ok thanks. I read it wrong. the results actually won't be here until Wednesday. to be honest, I think the infection is already gone. I had abnormal vaginal bleeding around April 17th and I haven't seen bleeding since then. I didn't get burning during urination, just the bleeding. Would see light pink on toilet paper after peeing and once some brownish tissue came out. if I took Zithromax on May 2nd, when would you recommend getting a chlamydia test again? and where should I go to get a new test? I don't really trust this doctor anymore. He was my gynecologist. Should I go to a primary care?

also, do I really have to get a pap smear every year? I am 25 year old female and never had abnormal paps.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Loudon’t need a yearly pap smear!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

1. I will recommend you get tested again on August 2 or later this year. The same labcorp Inc is a good place to work with.

2. With no abnormal pap smears, you need one every 2-3years and not yearly.

3. Talk to your family physician to carry on with a control and the pap smears.

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (41 hours later)

hey I just got the LabCorp results today. I uploaded it. If I go to a different doctor next week, would that be testing too soon after treatment? As mentioned previously, I took the Zithromax May 2nd.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This test should not be used to confirm treatment success!

Detailed Answer:
This test is not recommended to control for treatment success because it cannot tell whether it is a dead bacteria or not. SO even if the drug worked very well and there are particles of a death bacteria, this test will return a positive result. I suggest you go with culture in two months to get this test controlled.

I wish you well.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar