Hi. I am a man from Norway who tested myself for sexual transmitted diseases at your clinic in Harley Street, London, around 20. December 2011. I tested positive for Gonorrea in my throat. My test result showed: N. Gonorrhoeae(naat) Swab POSITIVE

Back in Norway I was quick to get an appointment with my doctor who wanted to take his own test before giving me treatment. Since I already had a positive test result from your clinic, he wanted to make the test as sensitive as possible. He put a tube up my nose, and told me this would make the test even more sensitive. In addition, he said he would ask the laboratory for both a normal test and a more thoroughly sensitive test; I think he called it a PCR-test.

Recently I received a call from my doctor who told me both tests were negative. He did find my positive test result from your clinic a little bit strange, but based on his own test-results he said the conclusion is I don't have Gonorrhea, and no treatment is necessary.

Symptoms: Travelling to London, just hours before visiting your clinic, I started to feel a little dry in my throat on the plane. Otherwise I don't have any symptoms from my throat, except rarely I have periods where it feels like I have a thin layer of some residue, feels like paper, stuck back in my mouth. About 1,5 weeks after a sexual encounter 18 months ago I got symptoms in my throat making me concerned. It felt as my mouth and throat was full of needles, my tongue felt sedated, and I had the feeling of reduced saliva-production and a dry mouth. I went to my doctor, and Gonorrhea was one of the diseases I tested for. I got a negative test result back then as well, but the problems in my throat persisted for almost two months before it gradually became better. Because of this episode 18 months ago, my positive test result from your clinic made sense to me.

I don't want to infect others. I'm also scared by the possibility it might enter the bloodstream, or already have done so, if my true status is positive.

The questions swirling in my head are:

Do you agree that I probably don't have Gonorrhea, so that my result at your clinic somehow ended up false positive?
Is there a possibility I did have Gonorrhea, but my body has resolved the infection by itself?
A normal mouth swab was performed at your clinic, but my doctor used a tube up my nose. Could this be a difference that have resulted in a false negative?
Do you think I should get tested again with another doctor?

Best regards

[Dr Jose]

Hello,
Thank you very much for your post.
The test that you had here with us was also a PCR test (also called NAAT). These tests are very sensitive, but of course not infallible. However one is more likely to have false negatives, rather than false positives, even though everything is possible. This test detects the presence of the DNA of this bacteria and if it was positive, I would be very surprised that this was not accurate. This infections do not always cause symptoms, but when they do, it would be in the form of a sore throat or discomfort in the mouth. It is also possible that these infections in the throat can clear spontaneously and this might be your case.
My advice to you, in order to avoid any doubt, is to get treated without having any further tests. Treatment is simple and effective, involving a single dose of azithromycin 1g, and a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone 500mg. That way you know that if you still had the infection, it would have been erradicated by the antibiotic treatment.
More information: https://www.freedomhealth.co.uk/sexu...-treatment/82/Best wishes,
José

Thank you for your answer.

I would need a prescription to receive this treatment here in Norway, which I won't get unless I test positive for Gonorrhea. If I make a new trip to London in the near future, would it be possible for me to order an appointment at your clinic to receive the treatment?

[Dr Jose]

Of course. We would always be able to help.
Kind regards,
José