[Question #13539] Cont. of #13360 from 9/15/25

1 months ago

Hello Dr. Handsfield. I could not log back to reply to you previously even after resetting account with ASHA support. So I had to create a new account. I wanted to ask for your help in quarterbacking my next steps in light of the updates below from the last discussion on #13360. I've had multiple tests and yet still have symptoms that persist. Is it possible to have DGI or Neuro syphilis present with these symptoms? Had single nodule on lower lip about 8 weeks post exposure. Since then, Constant fatigue. Parathesia all over face, arms, lips, especially near eyes. Swollen eyelids, dark bruising under eyes/bags, raised bumps on lower eyelids. Burning skin on face, red face, hands, and arms. Sore lymph node left armpit. Pressure/headache on back of head with stiff neck. Numbness on left arm with numb fingers and feets. Sharp pain and bump under skin on both calves that shoots when touched. Ulcers on tongue and inside cheeks that come and go. Soreness near left of belly button (spleen) and sometimes right of belly button (liver side). Nausea, dizziness, and eye pressure. I'm lost as to what could cause these symptoms at 4 months post exposure. Below is recap of my tests and timelines. Exposure date was 7/7/25. Unprotected fellatio received and cunninglus given. Condom sex. Dates of tests are: 10/17/25, 9/22/25, 9/5/25, 8/6/25. Tests taken each time are Hiv abag, rpr+tpla, hsv1&2 igg, hep abc, all negative. Urine gonorrhea chlymdia negative but not tested for oral swab. Only positive results are hsv igm on each test, cmv igg but not igm positive, and ebv ebna igg 600.0, ebv vca igg 428.0, and ebv ea-dr igg 9.7 ( equivocal 10. to 39.9) Could it be ebv causing these symptoms?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome back but I'm sorry to see you felt the need.

Neither herpes nor any other STI causes the symptoms you describe. Some of your symptoms suggest the physical manifestations of anxiety magnifying minor symptoms or even normal body sensations; in that case, some of your symptoms might be related (psychologically) to your sexual exposure(s). But for sure they are not due to any infection you caught from them.

Our advice is limited to STI issues, so the only advice I can give is for you to work with your own doctor(s) to sort this out and perhaps find a treatment that will help.

I hope these comments are at least slightly helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

HHH, MD

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1 months ago

Thank you so much Dr. Handsfield for your reply and my sincerest apologies if I am coming across rude in anyway. I dont mean to offend in anyway. I am just scare and if I may just ask for your help on your expertise with DGI please? I do believe now as you stated that most of my symptoms are anxiety related. But if I could ask the following that I am still experiencing, please.

1. Exposure date being 7/7/25 is it possible to have dgi symptoms still as of today, 18 weeks later? An oral swab was never done and my main concern is me having given cunningilus while having bad gum disease. Was given doxy 100mg twice daily and shot of 500mg ceftrixone at week 13 but still feel symptoms.

2. Does the body cure/rid itself of dgi naturally after time? Or is treatment always needed?

3. I am experiencing wrist, fingers, knee, and elbow joint pains that come and go. Swollen joints at times and tendon pain on knee and calves that shearing pain when pressed. Popping of tendon in one knee. Numbness and weakness on fingers as well. All this comes and goes.

4. No longer get pustules, but random round pimples on face.

5. Circle marks/lines/ raised skin on face.

6. Parathesia on face and arms.

7. Stomach issues

8. Eyes issues for over 2 months.

9. Dull pressure and headaches on back if head.

In your opinion sir, how likely would it be that I may have dgi?

Thank you so much for your time and help as I feel like you may be the only one to give me proper guidance.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

No offense taken and no apology necessary. But still these questions are largely irrelevant.

1,2) The treatment you had would have aborted a gonorrhea infection if you had been exposed, so you could not have developed DGI. And DGI does not cause symptoms like yours. But yes, most cases probably would be resolved by the immune system, without antibiotic treatment, usually within a few weeks (and certainly well before 18 weeks).

3-9) I have no further comments about any of these symptoms, which do not fit with DGI or any other STI.

It is BS that this forum is the only source of "proper guidance". I suggest you discuss the situation with your primary care physician, including my suspicion that your symptoms are psychological in origin and that you would like referral for psychological counseling. Anxiety and other stresses do not cause symptoms directly, but they can greatly magnify minor symptoms or even normal body sensations that otherwise would be ignored or perhaps not even noticed. I suggest counseling from compassion, not criticism.

There is no point in further discussion on our forum. Trust me on this: nothing else you might think of has any possibility of changing my basic assessment -- that no STI is a possible cause of the symptoms you describe. Sorry if this is difficult for you to accept, but I stand by it. Call it "tough love" if you like, but our forum will have no further advice for you.

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