[Question #8353] Quick follow up

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46 months ago
Just a quick follow up.

So after getting my STD results and it all coming back negative, can I be certain that my symptoms or any new symptoms I have aren't a result of this encounter. The timing of getting these symptoms seemed a bit weird. (Getting these symptoms after this encounter)
So are there any infections from bacteria/viruses that I could have got that could have caused my symptoms or can I for sure say that I didn't catch anything. (so besides the STDs that I tested for, is there anything that I could have caught which is serious and contagious and doesn't go away etc)

Sorry if this question seemed ridiculous but I just want to make sure I can safely have sex without worrying that I'm going to infect someone with something. 

Much appreciated 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
46 months ago
Welcome back, but sorry you found it necessary. These questions repeat those from before, or the answers are obvious from my replies last time.

Any time humans develop medical problems or symptoms, there is a tendency to focus on past events as the cause, especially for events that have created anxiety or are regretted. But the large majority of health problems occur randomly, usually without any defined or known cause. And in addition to the events that may seem relevant, almost always there are many others that are not noticed or don't seem important. In the weeks since the sexual exposure on your mind, you interacted with friends and others in the community, may have had environmental exposures you don't know about, and all the day to day direct and indirect contacts with other persons that are part of daily life. Any new symptoms you have are equally or more likely to be from such unrecognized events than from the low risk sexual event on your mind. You need to work to suppress that event in your interpretation of your current symptoms and health problems -- especially since none or typical of any infection that you could have a acquired. They also are highly typical of emotion magnifying trivial symptoms or even normal body sensations you otherwise would ignore or perhaps not even notice.

"are there any infections from bacteria/viruses that I could have got that could have caused my symptoms?"  None that I can see.  "or can I for sure say that I didn't catch anything?" YES!

It's time to move on. This forum cannot help you any further. Best wishes and stay safe.

HHH, MD
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