[Question #11905] Sti or syphilis

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11 months ago
About 40 Days ago my partner and I broke up for a few days during this time I saw a couple workers and everything was protected, no kissing nothing without a condom from two people a week apart. One was just protected oral the other was protected vaginal and protected oral.

About a week ago I saw a very tiny red dot on my foreskin when I folded it back. It wasn't raised or indented it was incredibly small just red. I thought it might be from masterbation as I've had a small tear here or there. I put some lotion on it and over the next two days it got smaller and smaller till I couldn't even find it. Never ulcerated to my knowledge, however after that I lost almost all appetite which is very odd for me that never happens. Lasted about 3 days then went back to nornal. Started having dull testicle aches that came and went and also dull headaches that came and went. I came up with reasonable answers to all of these being hard sex with my partner or loud music but it feels like denying reality. Then finally I noticed a rash a little behind my armpit both sides but more on one and also the same around my waistline. They don't look like syphilis rash from Google or bumps. Nothing on my hands or feet so far and they don't itch. It looks like very tiny red dots lightly spaced out. 

I've read a lot of these questions and I keep telling myself the chances of this are very minimal but I'm afraid I've infected my partner and my anxiety is beyond what I can describe. Your thoughts and how likely this is something to worry about please 
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11 months ago
Also no fever so far, to my knowledge no swollen glands, outside of not being hungry no real flu symptoms light nausea that goes away. Also white tongue but that also faded away and I've always had geography tongue and it's also sort of gone away and I never kissed anyone else. There's a chance it happened because I touched the red dot when it first Appeared and then touched my tongue but idk
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
11 months ago
Welcome to our Forum and thanks for reading our replies to other clients.  My guess is that having done so, you will have anticipated the reply I'm going to give.  The exposures you describe- condom protected vaginal and oral exposures were virtually no risk for any STI.  Most commercial sex workers do not have STIs, including HIV and even most unprotected exposures do not lead to infection.  As long as your condom did not break (and when condoms break, they break wide open, leaving no doubt they failed) you were protected.  

We find that when client are worried about an encounter they tend to become hypervigilant and start noticing normal things that they would otherwise overlook or to wonder if minor abrasions and rashes are an STI when they are not.  Further, the symptoms you describe sound as they have all occurred more than 30 days after your exposures which is also inconsistent with an STI.

I am confident that nothing you describe suggests an STI and feel that there is no medical need for testing.  I do note however that you describe yourself as quite anxious and in such cases, testing may provide a negative result which helps reduce anxiety.  If you choose to test at this time, results will be virtually conclusive and will prove that you do not have an STI.  If you choose to test, the tests I would suggest are a urine test for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonas and blood test for syphilis and HIV (blood tests are conclusive at 6 weeks, close to that after 30 days)

I hope this helps.  Please don't worry.  EWH
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11 months ago
So you think the dull headaches for days and moments of testicle pain are nothing to be concerned of? Well at least for that of a sti. They both have been slight but for the first time today I have a genuine headache that's not just lurking in the background it's mostly that and the loss of appetite that made me concerned even beyond the logic of wearing protection but I'll try to stop worrying and thank you if you truly think there is no medical reason to get tested than I see no reason to myself. Thank you for everything you do 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
11 months ago
Neither the testicular discomfort nor your headaches are particularly suggestive of STI. STI symptoms do not come and go.

I’m pleased you feel comfortable not testing.  I agree with your decision.  EWH 
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11 months ago
So if I've had headaches for about 4 days now and testicular discomfort also for a few days do you recommend making an appointment to my doctor to get that checked out or if not how long should I wait. If it's not still related how long until it's something that could pose a concern if at all? Just a general guess or ballpark I'm kinda done overthinking things and just want to be smart not hasty.
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11 months ago
If it's not sti related* not still
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
11 months ago
These will be the final responses to this thread.   My estimates of your TI risk are unchanged- virtually zero.

Headache and testicular discomfort of the sort you describe in the absence of other signs of infection are certainly not due to STI.  Headaches are tough- do they interfere with your normal activities, are they getting worse?  are there other associated symptoms.  I continue to suspect that the headaches are a manifestation of anxiety but if they persist it is certainly worth discussing with your doctor.  OTOH, if they go away when distracted or come and go, they may still be lingering effects of anxiety.  

As for the testicular aches that come and go, they are almost certainly an effect of focused attentiveness looking for signs of an STI.  I would not worry about them and suspect they will resolve

Take care.  This completes this thread.  EWH.  
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11 months ago
I will happily pay for another question I'm only attempting this because something happened overnight after I already sent my message. 

No pain when peeing but after work and seeing my partner before going in shower I noticed clear discharge, not a lot but enough to slightly overflow. Looked clear maybe a white spot I can't remember. This is around 40 days after and I was aroused 30 minutes earlier from neck kissing but I didn't get an erection.

In the morning I immediately checked to see if there was any discharge I didn't see any. Some liquid when I opened my urethra but I didn't squeeze it and nothing came out. I already went to get tested but have to wait and just wanted your updated thoughts. Do you still think the protected sex is enough to make it like very unlikely or is it just 50/50.