[Question #626] std

Avatar photo
104 months ago
I  was wondering can an std give you joint pains. I  have been tested for all the major stds  and came up negative. I  have read that gonorrhea could give you pains. Plus, how long can an std live in sperm outside the body.  Can washing your hands for a few seconds kill the bacteria. I didn't have intercourse or oral but I'm afraid that frottage can transmit  the clap.
Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
104 months ago

Welcome to our Forum.  There are a few STIs which may be associated with joint pains depending on whether these problems are acute or chronic.  This would be rather unusual.  If you would like to provide some additional information perhaps I can be more specific.

STDs, with the possible and very rare exception of herpes or syphilis are not spread by frottage which is a form or masturbation.  If you had acquired syphilis of herpes, you would likely have sores or a rash present which would be easily noted.  Mutual masturbation in which partners get each  others' genital secretions on one another is safe sex despite the fact that it is usual for persons engaged in mutual masturbation to get each others' genital secretions on one another.  If you did not have penetrative sex of some sort, you are not realistically at risk for STIs.  EWH

---
Avatar photo
104 months ago
I will give you as much info as I can, but it has been 7 years ago. Erotic massage where she laid on my legs without any underwear on. Don't know if she made contact with my privates. Thought I  should get tested and waited 6 -7 months. had a GC amplified RNA, Chlamydia amp RNA, RPR, herpes virus culture and a test for trich. RPR non reactive, trich and yeast not seen. My other tests were hard to read but I  guess I passed because in the abnormal column nothing was stated plus it said something like nrml range units and I  didn't see any numbers. The hospital and my GP seemed ok with results and did not push for anymore testing.  I'm just confused years later why there wasn't a conclusive statement made at the end of the results. Reading too much into the results? Should I trust the hospital because they would have had to report a bad test to my GP and the state......confused.

Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
104 months ago
Thanks so much for the additional information.  This is very helpful.  The encounter you describe was a no risk event with no concerns about STIs.  The test results you mention appear to verify that there is no evidence of STIs as well.  I am confident that any joint pain/arthritis that you mention is unrelated to the encounter you describe..  I would advise you not to worry further about that encounter.  EWH---
Avatar photo
104 months ago
I finally got my lab results after 7 years. Genprobe media received with wrong swab. used VTM MEDIA. interpret results with caution. Negative for C. trachomatis rRNA. Negative for n. gonorrhea rRNA. Results negative for chlamydia and GC amplified RNA. Would using the wrong swab have a negative effect on my tests? I  also tested negative for herpes virus culture by using an enzyme linked virus inducible system culture. They did mention in the report that a negative result for herpes does not exclude the possibility of infection. Should I move on and feel confident in my results. I also read on another site that there is a chance to get these stds from frottage......Thank You.
Avatar photo
104 months ago
Dr Hook, thanks for the help and advice. I agree with you and Dr H that I need to deal and address the real issue of my anxiety. My GP and other health professionals were confused about the using the wrong swab, I don't fault them because there is little to no information on this issue.


Avatar photo
Edward W. Hook M.D.
104 months ago
STIs are not spread by frottage. Whatever site you heard this from is incorrect.  Please stay off the Internet-it is not helping you.

As Dr. Handsfield has indicated, and as we have each indicated to you in the past, your fixation on possible STIs related,to,exposures in the distant past is misplaced.  Clearly despite negative tests and repetitive professional reassurance, you continue to worry,asking and re-asking the same questions.  You need to stop,worrying, stop testing, and move on.  If you cannot a counselor or other mental health professional should be consulted .  I say this in an effort to help, nothing more.

With this, this thread will be closed.  EWH
---