[Question #13699] Testing Confirmation

1 months ago

Hello Doctors,

I have been on the forum a few times over the last year and a half. I am currently doing very well in therapy and have been able to stop going to see providers (I previously used mainly massage parlors and escorts (only a couple of times)).

I tested negative for Trich, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia on 12/10 via a urine sample. I did engage in cunninglingus a few times prior to the other exposures but based on a Gonorrhea and Chlamydia throat swab on 9/11 last year (a week after my last cunninglingus expsure that I can remember) I believe that is sufficient as well.

My main question is I have a HIV and Syphilis blood test this coming Monday 1/12 which is exactly 6 weeks since my Nov 30th oral exposure. I havent seen any syphilis presenting lesions on my genitals and havent had any other flu like symptoms (HIV) so I believe I am in the all clear for all STDs.

My exposures since my annual physical on Jul 26 (where I did a full run of STD test, all negative) have been mainly handjobs/frottage (no risk) and a couple cunninglingus/oral (low risk) and just the one protected sex with an escort. All of which I have had the appropriate urine tests and throat swabs after. This Mondays Syphilis and HIV Blood Test should put me in the clear for the last two I had to wait longer for. Do you think HSV/HPV and Hep are worth testing for I have been HPV and Hep vaccinated as I am in the US. And have never had visible breakouts of anything that looks like herpes. Also is 6 weeks conclusive for HIV and Syphilis or is 3 months more accurate.

I would love to close the door on this chapter of my life as I am ready to stop putting myself and my partner at risk.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome back but I'm sorry you found it necessary. In fact, I don't really understand why you're here; I see no new questions and it seems to me you correctly understand you have no STD and do not need further testing. I am confident your pending tests will also be negative; from a medical/risk perspective you didn't need testing. Six weeks is conclusive for HIV and syphilis testing. I agree you are "in the clear for all STDs." I see no reason you cannot "close the door on this chapter" now.

Am I missing something?

HHH, MD

---

1 months ago

Yes I guess the question I had was is this conclusive.

I took the HIV blood test and Gonorrhea/Trich/Chlamydia Urine test on 1/12 and the Syphilis blood test on 1/13.

As of today 1/16 I have received negative results on all 4 tests. Given my last “exposure” was November 30th of last year that puts 6 weeks and 1 day (43 days) between my protected oral (they used two plastic bags as protection at a massage parlor) and 9 weeks and 5 days since my visit with an escort which included unprotected oral and protected vaginal.

Based on my understanding these tests are conclusive and I can move on and continue my sex life with my partner with no worries.

My last two questions are:

1. for Syphilis a blood test would detect both oral and genital so that is fully conclusive?

2. My last instance of cunninglingus on a sex worker was give or take somewhere around September of last year and although I cannot remember exactly I do not believe I engaged in any after my last gonorrhea/chlamydia throat swab which came back negative on 9/11. If I did engage in cunninglingus and just cannot remember because of how often I was engaging in these different kinds of exposures, based on previous responses I have read on other questions it sounds like there was negligible risk from cunninglingus. On top of that it is usually asymptomatic when it is oral and passes by itself. Therefore Id assume you do not feel the need for me to do another throat swab to be in the clear?

The only other STDs I didnt treat for where Herpes as in the forum you describe it as unnecessary as false positives are a risk, as well as hep and hpv due to the fact in the US we vaccinate.

Thanks again for the times you both have answered my questions on here

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

1. Yes. The syphilis blood tests detect any and all infections, regardless of the body parts affected or how the infection occurred.

2. Correct. You do not need any further testing.

Correct that herpes testing is usually not recommended because the HSV blood tests are not 100% reliable and misleading test results, such as false positives, are common. That might change in the future; better tests are in development.

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.

---

1 months ago

Last question, online via CDC etc I see that sometimes it is recommended to test again after 3 months for Syphilis and HIV even when you get a negative at 6 week mark but also see that is only needed after high risk exposures and other extenuating circumstances. Based on my exposures (protected vaginal and unprotected oral) I assume your answer that my tests at the 6 week 1 day mark for both is conclusive enough doesnt change? My tests were ordered via Quest Diagnostics who I have read use standardized testing protocols.

If you were in my position would you feel the need to test again after 3 months or is the 6 week negative results satisfactory.

Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Ignore hyper-conservative older advice. With the modern HIV tests, it never is necessary to test later than 6 weeks after exposure. My advice is unchanged. If somehow I were in your situation, I would not even have been tested for HIV or anything else; and if for some reason I tested anyway, I would not do anything different than I have advised for you.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. Please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. This being your sixth question in 8 months, all reflecting inflated fears given the low risk nature of your exposures, let's make it our last along these lines. Repetitive questions may be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. The forum sponsor doesn't want repeated payment for questions already answered (or whose answers are obvious from previous discussions) and repeated answers tend to prolong rather than relieve anxiety. In addition, such questions have reduced educational value for other users, one of the forum's goals. Thank you for your understanding.

I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

---