[Question #11516] unprotected sex std window period

13 months ago

At the end of April, I had unprotected vaginal sex with a Korean CSW in the United States, lasting half an hour. I did not experience any obvious STI symptoms until today. 58 days after the above exposure, I underwent a full panel STI test which included Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium, HIV 4th generation wRfx, Syphilis (Treponemal Antibodies + RPR with reflex), hepatitis A antibody, hepatitis B core antibody/antigen, hepatitis C antibody, and HSV1 and 2 antibodies IgG. All results returned negative.

I'm wondering if the window period has passed and if these negative results are 100% conclusive. Can I safely resume unprotected sex with my wife without worrying about transmitting any diseases to her?

As a side question, during basketball, I was scratched and bleeding from a stranger's nails. Is it possible to contract an STI like HIV through this type of exposure?

13 months ago

additional info, I didn't take any prep, pep, antibiotics before or after the event, I heard these can change window period, so just add this info.

13 months ago

additional info, I am a 31 male, CSW is a female, penetration unprotected vaginal sex, kissing, unprotected oral sex, rimming on me as well

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

13 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services.

STI experts nearly universally have problems with many laboratories' typical "comprehensive" STI test panels. Several tests perform poorly and/or are for infections so unlikely that their inclusion makes no sense. The only ones most experts would advise after a high risk exposure -- or someone seeking reassurance after several exposures over time -- are urine for gonorrhea/chlamydia; rectal or throat swabs for gonorrhea/chlamydia if exposed; and blood tests for HIV and syphilis. That said, it's good to hear your results were all negative and confirm you were not infected with any of them during your April exposure. The only exception is HSV2, for which the window is 3-4 months. But that's also one of the tests that shouldn't have been done anyway and you don't need to repeat it. Had I somehow been in your situation, I would never have stopped having sex with my wife. You certainly can resume now.

Nobody in the world ever acquired HIV by being scratched by an infected person, whether in an athletic or any other context.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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13 months ago

Thanks, so basically you mean 58 day later STI test is 100% conclusive for the possible infection which are urine for gonorrhea/chlamydia; rectal or throat swabs for gonorrhea/chlamydia if exposed; and blood tests for HIV and syphilis?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

13 months ago

All correct.---