[Question #13882] Chal/Gon symtoms window

1 days ago

hi, i'm embarrassed to ask but here it goes: on a Sunday/Monday I had 3 sexual partners involving oral (giving) and anal (receiving) and slept very little & was drinking a lot. By Tuesday evening, I was already showing signs of chal/gonorreah (pain in urination, swollen/painful testicles, fatigue etc). I know usually chlamydia and gonorreah take longer than this to show symptoms but my last sexual encounter before this was a couple of weeks prior and I didn't notice anything in the interim. is it possible this last round of activity kicked in very quickly with symptoms? can that happen if your immune system is low? it was a very physically exhausting time...but I know again it usually takes much longer for STDs to show physical symptoms. any advice appreciated.

1 days ago

this also was male male intercourse and essentially i just want to know what ya think the earliest possible window it's for STI symptoms to show. thank you again

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 days ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your question.

You're exactly right that gonorrhea and chlamydia cannot cause symptoms so quickly. For gonorrhea, the minimum probably is around 48 hours; for chlamydia a week or more. And the symptoms you describe don't fit either of these; painful testicles or fatigue don't fit at all, at least not sooner than 1-2 weeks. These symptoms are typical for genitally focused anxiety after a worrisome or anxiety-producing exposure. A "low" immune system cannot do this and neither can physical exhaustion, except to the extent it might increase the frequency or apparent severity of anxiety symptoms.

If you are new to same-sex encounters, perhaps that aspect is contributing to your symptoms and concerned.

You don't say when these events occurred. If last Sunday/Monday (4-5 days ago) and you have not developed visible pus dripping from your penis, gonorrhea is pretty much out of the picture. If a week or two earlier, chlamydia also is an unlikely cause. On the other hand, the only way to know for sure is to be tested. I suggest you see a doctor or clinic with substantial experience in STI management -- and be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia for all exposed anatomic sites -- urine (or urethral swab) and anal and throat swabs.

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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1 days ago

I also had an encounter, receiving anally, a couple weeks prior. I wonder if the sudden onset could be from something caught during that? I didn't notice anything in the interim.

I have had no noticeable "drip" but there definitely is physical pain to it and big irritation & sensitivity in my pelvis the past 4 days. Yes, I'm very anxious. My penis size also seems to be much smaller but again maybe due to anxiety?

I did get tested today. Thanks for the guidance.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 days ago

No, none of your symptoms fits well with an anally acquired STI. Your penis cannot possibly be smaller than before, and of course no STI causes this. In addition to your symptoms being typical of genitally focused anxiety, the questions themselves support this high probability. Good plan to be tested; if nothing else, negative results should be reassuring. And your test results probably will be negative -- but even if positive probably would not explain any of the symptoms you have described.---