[Question #110] Time Frame for Transmitting Gonorrhea after Antibiotic Treatment
113 months ago
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Dear Dr.
I was having a very difficult time with my wife, and I made a very bad decision while experiencing a lot of stress.
I received unprotected oral sex from a very high risk prostitute. Unfortunately this included the anatomical point of contact, a term I have since read about. - The back of her throat did make quite a bit of contact with my penis.
20 hours later I went to the Emergency Room. They treated me pre-emptively (presumptively), with the CDC's recommended antibiotic treatment. I had the intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone in my bicep and the Azithromycin drink.
5 full days after receiving the treatment and going to the ER, I had unprotected vaginal and oral intercourse with my wife.
Should I be concerned that I could have given her gonorrhea?
I have tested negative for gonorrhea and chlamydia at the ER, seven days after exposure, nine days after exposure, and 17 and 20 days after exposure.
The thing is Dr., I could have given it to my wife since I only waited 5 full days before having unprotected sex with her ? Or do you think it would have been killed by then?
I haven't told my wife about this, and I'm hoping that I don't have to. But her safety is paramount to absolutely everything. Also - my wife mentions during vaginal sex that it hurts. She has definitely said this many times in the past, even many times a year ago and way before this exposure, but it makes me nervous.
Could I have given her something ? The prostitute who performed unprotected oral was 22 years old, lower income, money for sex, African-American, inner city, and a marijuana user. Due to inequality, those are all high risk criteria according to the CDC.
So you can see why I'm very, very concerned.
Thank you very much for your compassion, knowledge, expertise, and help.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
113 months ago
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
112 months ago
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112 months ago
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About 10 days or 2 weeks ago my wife had several 101 degree fevers, severe chills, and sore throat. Her only other symptoms were more pronounced than usual painful intercourse and some stomach aches. Her strepthroat test was negative and so was the urine culture her primary gave her. I presume the urine culture tested for yeast infection. Would it also test in any way for an STD, such as NGU?
My wife will return for a follow up in 2 weeks. I'm going to insist that she goes. She is doing better on a wide spectrum antibiotic her primary gave her.
I've never had symptoms of an STD before. However, the symptoms for NGU are basically silent. It seems like a pretty symptomless infection, so should I get tested? I wonder how likely it is I contracted NGU from the exposure I described in my initial post?, because my wife's health is paramount to everything.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
112 months ago
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112 months ago
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Thank you Dr. Handsfield! This discussion has been very helpful and educational. I feel great and have nothing to worry about. Being committed to one's monogamous relationship are the only way to go in my opinion, the anxiety is not worth it. I have learned a great deal and thank you very much for your expertise and help.
If I were a wealthy donor or just had more money I would donate to U. Washington and ASHA. I'll spread the word, thank you for this outstanding service. It's been worth every penny.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
112 months ago
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