I tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea. Now what?

Clinical Editor: Megan Dodson, PA-C

Your results are in. The word “positive” seems to scream back at you from the pages of your lab report, sending your heart pounding and your mind racing: you’ve just been diagnosed with gonorrhea or chlamydia. Finding out you have one of these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can bring up a rollercoaster of emotions. You might experience feelings of shock, confusion, embarrassment, shame, or general worry about your health or the health of your partners. While these emotions are understandable, it’s important to know that both gonorrhea and chlamydia are extremely common and treatable. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common STIs in the U.S. So if you’ve recently been diagnosed with either of these STIs, you’re not alone. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate STI treatment and help you get your health back on track. Here’s what you need to know about a chlamydia or gonorrhea diagnosis.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria. They can be contracted by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia or gonorrhea. As these infections don’t always cause symptoms, and can also cause overlapping symptoms, STI testing by a healthcare provider plays an important role in diagnosis.

Many people with chlamydia or gonorrhea do not experience any symptoms. Symptoms that may occur, however, include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge (fluid coming from your vagina) or vaginal bleeding between periods.
• Abnormal penile discharge (fluid coming from your penis opening).
• Burning sensation when urinating.
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles.
• Rectal pain, discharge (fluid coming from your rectum), or bleeding.

You should be examined by a medical provider if you or your partner experience any of these symptoms.

Individuals who are assigned female at birth experiencing pelvic pain, pain during insertive sex, and/or fever and chills should see a medical provider right away. These can be signs of a more serious infection and you may require additional treatment.

It is very important to get treated for chlamydia and gonorrhea right away if you’ve tested positive or know you’ve been exposed, even if you have no symptoms. If untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause more serious infections, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infection of the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testicles). Gonorrhea can also spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. These can lead to long-term pelvic pain, difficulty getting pregnant, and complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

You should also inform anyone you’ve had sex with in the last 60 days so that they can get tested and treated if needed. If you do not want to contact your former partner directly, feel free to use STD Check or TellYourPartner.org to notify someone via an anonymous text.

Chlamydia is treated with an oral antibiotic, while gonorrhea is typically treated with an injectable antibiotic. It’s important to complete the entire course of medication to make sure the infection is fully treated. Make sure to receive treatment as soon as you can and abstain from all sexual activity until you receive treatment, for 7 days after starting treatment, and until your sex partner(s) are fully treated.

If you have chlamydia or gonorrhea, your sex partners have been exposed and need to receive treatment. Otherwise, they can pass the infection back to you, as well as on to other partners. Ideally, anyone exposed to an STI would see their own healthcare provider for testing, evaluation, and treatment. However, we realize that’s not always an option, and that’s why many states allow health care providers to prescribe medication to people who’ve been exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhea without seeing them. This practice is known as expedited partner therapy (EPT), and it means that your partner can be treated by your healthcare provider without an appointment.

If you’ve tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, feel free to ask your healthcare provider about expedited treatment for your partner(s).

A chlamydia or gonorrhea infection increases your risk for other STIs, so we also recommend talking to your provider about whether you need more testing. It’s also important to note that people who get chlamydia or gonorrhea once can get it again, so it’s a good idea to get re-tested for STIs three months after your treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend you be re-tested sooner, depending on the circumstances.Remember that consistent condom use helps protect against many sexually transmitted infections. To learn more about STI screenings and STI prevention check out our STI Screening blog.

Have more questions about chlamydia, gonorrhea, or STIs? Our primary care team is here to help. At One Medical, we aim to provide exceptional care designed around you and your unique health needs. Book an appointment with a provider through our app today or get 24/7 virtual care on demand.

Originally published March 31, 2022.