Of course, each situation will be unique, here is some general information on how one person can test positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, while their partner tests negative.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Often people have no symptoms or slight symptoms that they may or may not noticed. To learn more about symptoms, click here.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be passed by oral, vaginal/internal genital or anal/rectal sex.
If someone tested positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, and their sexual partner tested negative, there are a few possibilities that could make this happen. Some of these include:
- As most people do not have symptoms, it is possible the person (who tested positive) could have had chlamydia/gonorrhea from a previous relationship, and has not passed it to their partner yet. It is never 100% that you will pass an STI when you have sex.
- It is possible that the person who tested negative for chlamydia/gonorrhea actually has it, but did not give a good specimen to be tested. For example, when providing a urine specimen for testing, it is recommended that the person not urinate 1-2 hour before the test. If the person did urinate during that time, then the test may not be accurate.
- It is possible the person did test positive for chlamydia/gonorrhea, but if they are worried about getting in trouble, they could say they tested negative.
- With the chlamydia/gonorrhea test, there is also the small chance of the person having a false positive test result. For example, the chlamydia test is positive but you actually do not have chlamydia.
- It is also possible the person (who tested negative) had chlamydia/gonorrhea in the past, but was treated with antibiotics for an unrelated medical condition that also happened to get rid of the chlamydia/gonorrhea at the same time.
Fortunately, chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable with proper antibiotics.
When a person tests positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea, it is recommended that all sexual partners be tested and treated regardless of their results.