I have a question about a symptom I have had approximately 2 days after receiving unprotected oral from another male from an app dating website. I have abstained from all previous activities and topping, etc.

2 days after I developed some Dysuria, but it happened after I had ofcourse once again googled and convinced myself I had Gono. I have not gone to get tested as I won’t be able until Tuesday next week. But I have had zero discharge (I have been checking a lot and touching the head), maybe a little inflammation at the tip, but I have that burning sensation when peeing and checking for about 5 days now.

My question is can you have Gono if you only have the Dysuria and no discharge after 5 days post exposure? Or would discharge be present and known if I had try Dysuria. It is hard to tell from internet and such as it just has the symptom listed. I know that my anxiety also gets to me and can that cause that burning sensation because I am anticipating the symptom? 

Almost certainly your gonorrhea test will be negative. As it happens, my colleague Dr. Hook was the lead researcher on probably the most relevant published study. It showed conclusively that dysuria alone, without discharge, rarely is due to gonorrhea or any other STI. Another possibility is a viral infection, specifically adenovirus. Adenovirus is primarily a respiratory virus, causing common colds. conjunctivitis (pink eye), etc -- but some types of the virus (especially adenovirus type 19) can cause urethritis, acquired by oral sex. Visible inflammation at the tip of the penis often is present. From your description, I doubt your symptoms are primarily anxiety related.

Herpes due to HSV1 also is possible, if you are not in the 50% of the population with prior infection, usually in childhood. However, herpes almost always causes external blisters and sores, not only urethritis.

There is no treatment for adenovirus, but it clears up on its own in a few days. At this point, my advice is to wait for your gonorrhea culture result, with no other tests or treatment in the meantime. However, if the symptoms worse and/or you develop external blisters or sores, they should be tested for HSV. But most likely the problem will fade and you may never know the exact cause. But probably nothing serious.

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

HHH, MD

Thanks.

It is untrue that people with oral HSV infections would know if they have it. Half or more do not know. I still have a strong suspicion you have herpes, especially with the dysuria now resolving (herpes would last a lot longer). But still the fact of asymptomatic herpes is something all sexually active people should know.

Sorry for the confusion. Normally threads are closed after two follow-up commetns and replies, but given this mix-up, I'll leave it open for another cycle in case you have any further concerns.

You really should let the herpes business go without further worry about it. I'm sorry I even mentioned it. But if you develop more symptoms to suggest herpes, or if you have other questions about it, feel free to ask a new question and choose the herpes category.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.