I have had a full STI panel at 2,4,6 weeks post encounter and everything has been negative. I am satisfied with most of these results. 

I am worried about syphillis and possibly herpes (I have had no symptoms) purely due to the conflicting information I see online and on UK sexual health guidelines. Is syphillis testing conclusive by 6 weeks? do I need to test again or was a negative result at 6 weeks enough. I am considering testing again at 12 weeks but please let me know if this is a pointless exercise and I am 100% clear, or if I should do so sooner instead. Also, while I fully trust your advice, why is it that UK guidelines say 12 weeks? Is this for immunocompromised people etc? I am a young healthy male. 

With regards to herpes, I understand testing without symptoms is not routinely done. I have done Rapid POC blood tests for HSV1/2 at 3 and 6 weeks post encounter - both of which were negative. Should I keep testing? Or am I clear. 

Given the nature of the encounter and all things considered , what is your advice. While I know my chances of having an std considering all above is very low… I can’t move on until I am 100% sure or without reasonable doubt. Can I be? 

Many thanks!

I would be entirely confident that you did not get syphilis and see no need for further testing.

Herpes is challenging.  The majority of persons who acquire HSV develop lesions within 10 days of exposure.  The approximately 25% who do not develop lesions develop positive blood tests but the overall risk of your getting HSV from the encounter is far less than 1%.  You were fortunate to get negative tests- false positives are relatively common.

Personally, I see no need for further testing of any kind.   EWH

With regards to herpes, I am struggling to understand. So the 25% who do not develop lesions will definitely develop positive blood tests? So does that mean my poc tests were enough? Should I test again ? What are the chances I have contracted hsv from an asymptomatic individual. 

Many thanks! 

Sigh.  Blood tests for herpes are not very good and other than the Western Blot performed at the University of Washington are never 100% accurate.  That said, based on the information provided, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to have acquired herpes from the encounter you describe.  

If your partner had herpes and was asymptomatic your risk of infection was less than 1 in 10,000. 

You need to figure out how to move forward.  EWH

In the last few days I have developed a small bump on my gum (may have knicked it with my toothbrush) I just want to be completely sure that there is no chance this could be a chancre. I did not engage in oral sec myself, however is it possible for the bacteria have been on my fingers and then entered my mouth if I put my fingers in my mouth? While I understand this is an illogical question as you are saying my tests are conclusive… I just want to be sure that this kind of transmission is not possible, am I right In assuming that for an oral chancre I would have had to have direct contact with my mouth ?

So I should not test for anything at all and I can be 100% sure I have not contracted any sti? 

STI‘s are not transmitted by transfer of infectious material on a persons fingers. In addition, if the lesion you describe or due to syphilis, it would have formed an ulcer and your blood tests would be positive. Finally, Shaner typically appear within 3 to 4 weeks of an exposure. Six weeks is simply too late for the leisure you have noticed on your gums to be due to Syphilis

My advice is that no further testing is needed. It is time to move on without continuing concern.

This completes this thread, which will be closed shortly. EWH.