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Will self-medicating with antibiotics affect the accuracy of STD testing?

A
AnonymousVerified User

Confidential • 2026. 03. 10.

I'm experiencing some genital pain and, out of concern, I've been taking some leftover antibiotics (Roxithromycin, Valacyclovir, Metronidazole) for the past two days. If I get an STD test now, will these medications lead to a false negative? Should I wait, or does it not matter?

#STD Testing#Antibiotics#Diagnostic Accuracy
Verified Specialist Answer
J

Je-man Ryu

Goldman Urology

Director, Goldman Urology Seoul Station

Hello, this is Dr. Je-man Ryu. Taking antibiotics or antivirals before a test can indeed compromise the accuracy. Even a short 2-day course can temporarily suppress the pathogen levels, potentially leading to a 'false negative' result. It is best to consult a specialist about the appropriate timing for testing after stopping the medication to ensure a definitive diagnosis.

* This answer is based on medical documents and cannot replace an actual diagnosis.

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