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Original poster

What if I have an STI? Help! *TMI WARNING*

43 replies

Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 15:40

NC for this as it’s rather embarrassing. I’ve tried google but it’s not coming up with the answers I need so posting here for traffic.

About 18 months ago I had a random pain in my side and as part of my Dr’s investigations I had a full sexual health check. All came back clear. I had been with my DP for nearly 18 months at this point (now nearly 3 years together).

I had a course of antibiotics for a throat infection about 4 months ago and as always I developed thrush, I treated it with a pessary and cream. Itching cleared up but I am still having very heavy discharge.

I home tested for bacterial vaginosis with the Canesbalance swab test and it came back positive but also said it could be indicative of Trichomoniasis which I had never heard of. I’ve had BV before so I just bought the internal cream treatments and thought that would sort me out.

It hasn’t and now my discharge is very muscus like (almost like snot) and has taken on a greenish tinge. After googling it is suggesting an STI and suggesting Trichomoniasis.

My problem is, if I was STI tested only 18 months ago and have had no new sexual partners then how could I have this? Is it possible I could have got a false negative before or ...... does it mean what I’m fearing. .... could my partner have cheated on me?

Does anyone know the answer to whether you can only develop a positive test result after such a long period of time?

OP posts:
StarfishSandwich · 25/08/2018 15:49

Apparently half of all infected people have no symptoms so it does stand to reason that maybe symptoms can also pop up later down the line.

It could also be thrush, BV or something equally innocuous presenting weirdly. During pregnancy for example I have had really weird and non-typical thrush symptoms but every test going has come back as thrush!

Popc0rn · 25/08/2018 16:03

You might not even have it. They might not have tested you for it 18 months ago, and if they did it's possible that it was a false negative result - so the test was negative but you did actually have it back then.

The test for it doesn't sound too accurate anyway: “People think it's really easy to diagnose,” he said. “It turns out that the wet mount is way less sensitive than everybody thinks it is. The sensitivity of a wet mount is somewhere between 35% and 80%."

acpinternist.org/archives/2012/03/trichomoniasis.htm

So if the test sensitivity is between 35% - 80%, you've got a 65% - 20% chance of a false negative.

Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 16:03

It’s the colour that’s throwing me off. I’ve treated myself for thrush and BV recently too Confused

OP posts:
Confusedbeetle · 25/08/2018 16:06

Stop self diagnosing and self treating and see a doctor who knows. Call in at a clinic, job done. Dr Google is a disaster

WonderTweek · 25/08/2018 16:13

Oooh I had the snot like stuff on and off for a week or two about two months ago and it really freaked me out. I also did the canesten swab thing and it came back negative (as in the colour didn’t change) so I just thought I’d leave it for a bit and see how it goes. It went away shortly after so it may have been just one of those things. Maybe some hormonal changes can change the colour of the discharge as mine was bright orange when I was pregnant! Blush

Hope it gets better soon OP!

starfishmummy · 25/08/2018 16:24

Just go to a doctor or clinic and get a proper diagnosis and treatment

Shutityoutart · 25/08/2018 16:28

If it is TV then a GP wouldn’t routinely test for it. You need to go to a a GU clinic. If it is TV then it’s easily treated with antibiotics

Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 18:03

Shutit I had a full sexual health screening less than 18 months ago at the GUM clinic as part of their medical investigations into a pain I was getting. Also had a smear test. All came back negative.
I’m not self diagnosing but I’ve been treated for the obvious causes and the question I’m asking is that if it is Trich then is it possible that my previous test was a false negative .... or would the only way I could now have contracted it be because my partner must have recently given it to me.
That’s what I need to know

OP posts:
Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 18:07

Starfish you’ve missed the point completely. I have an appointment with the doctor already booked but I’m asking if false negatives can happen

OP posts:
Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 18:08

Thank you popcorn xxx

OP posts:
PhoebefromFriends · 25/08/2018 18:15

Personally I would go to a GUM clinic rather than GP, can you revisit the one you saw before?

Anxious2niteaaah · 25/08/2018 18:19

Op if you had the test 18 months ago and was clear, and if they retest you and diagnose you with Trich, and if you haven't cheated then the only other way to get it is via your partner (if he has caught it via cheating and given it to you)

Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 18:24

Phoebe I will be referred to the GUM clinic which means I will have an appointment. Without going to a GP first I would have to “drop in” and wait to be seen when a doctor becomes available. I cannot imagine anything more humiliating that potentially having to wait in a ticketed queue of people in a waiting room at an STI clinic

OP posts:
Poptart4 · 25/08/2018 19:01

If you had a full check up 18 months ago and got the all clear and it turns out you have an STI now then your other half has cheated.

Sorry to be blunt op but theres no other explanation.

WhatAnAbsolutePenis · 25/08/2018 19:09

OP I had BV for months and it wouldn't go away. I was worried about an STI as well and I've been with my husband for 20 years so I was worried it would mean indicate he was unfaithful.

But actually it was BV. All the regular creams and pessaries designed for it weren't working. I had to take oral antibiotics and it fixed it.

I think you probably just need a stronger antibiotic.

Shutityoutart · 25/08/2018 20:51

Just double check with the GU clinic that you were tested at that they tested you for TV. Sometimes they only do the triple test if it’s clinically indicated, which it may not have been at the time.

Lifeisabeach09 · 25/08/2018 20:56

Gum Clinics don't usually test for Trichomoniasis. It's not one of the standard tests.

BagelDog · 25/08/2018 21:02

The test for TV unfortunately is t that good wothmlaodsnof false negatives. So even if they tested for it last time and it was negative it could just have been missed. Also don’t think it is part of the standard GUM screen. And it can hang about for ages. So if you get checked for TV this time and it is positive it could well just have been a false negative last time and doesn’t men anything awful has happened. Hope all gets sorted soon

Bumbledop · 25/08/2018 22:26

Is it possible that you are ovulating? This could be the cause of the mucus. Always best to get these things checked though

Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 22:27

I can’t be ovulating, I’m on the pill

OP posts:
Original poster
Tallis123 · 25/08/2018 22:31

Lifeisabeach according to the NHS website a standard STI test checks for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, trich, and syphillis

OP posts:
MrsFinkelstein · 25/08/2018 22:36

TV is usually a frothy, grey, watery discharge, it's not normally part of a standard test, and its not that common. It sounds more like BV still, which quite often needs treatment for a couple of weeks to fully resolve it.

I would just go back to the GU clinic, or ask your GP to do a charcoal swab, it's reasonably accurate for TV.

OhWotIsItThisTime · 25/08/2018 22:36

Go to the GUm clinic. I had pain, discharge, irritation. GP hadn’t a clue, GUM diagnosed Bv at first, then a follow-up diagnosed eczema and any discharge as just me.

Huge weight lifted off and now I know that what I thought was repeated bouts of thrush is actually eczema, which I now know how to treat.

MrsFinkelstein · 25/08/2018 22:39

I work in GU. A standard STI screen is a NAAT test for chlamydia & gonorrhoea and bloods for HIV and syphilis. I wouldn't routinely test for TV unless there was very specific symptoms - a frothy, watery, grey discharge. Herpes is only swabbed for again with specific symptoms - ulcerated lesions.

AnnieAnoniMoose · 25/08/2018 22:41

Have you got any other reason to doubt your DP all? If not, I’d try not to worry about that. It’s sounds like the test is pretty inconclusive. Have you had any other issues since the original pain & before this last ‘bout’? Diet can be a real factor too, if my diet is too carb heavy I get thrush and the symptoms can be quite variable. Good kyck getting it sorted out.