Expert: John Thai, MD - 7/2/2009

Question
Dear Dr,

I slept with an ex boyfriend about 6 months ago. 1 week ago he told me he has chlamydia. I got tested, antibiotics etc and all is now fine.
My current partner now thinks i have cheated on him recently as he has only just started showing symptoms about 3 weeks ago. How is this possible??
Could it have been dormant in his system for months and only just start having symptoms now?
Or maybe he didnt catch it off me until now (we dont use condoms)?
Very confused, very worried.
Please help?

Answer
Hi Holly,

If you slept with your ex six months ago and he was positive for chlamydia, you should have had symptoms immediately thereafter and lived with those symptoms for six months. If you had no symptoms, the chances are slim that you were positive. Your doctor may have treated you as a precaution. If your current boyfriend is exhibiting problems, it is best to have him tested for sexually transmitted infections. That will prove if he has chlamydia or not.

As you and your boyfriend are engaging in unprotected intercourse, I also recommend that you undergo testing for all sexually transmitted infections as well.