[Question #8765] Here we go again

40 months ago

Dear Community, I hope everyone is doing well.
The last time I was on this page was four months ago, and I hope this is for real the last one.
I, male, 27, circumcised, had unprotected sex with a coworker.
She did not have any physical symptoms of any disease I know she gets cold sores but did not have on visible and said that other than that, she was okay I think.
I have tested negative for all STDs in the past(HIV, Gono Chlam, Herpes IGG 1,2, Syphilis)
If I catch something, when should I expect to see symptoms (3 days so far)

That's the funny part, I live in Germany, and people rarely get tested. Do not ask me why i don't know either.
She agreed to test with me next week for HIV, Syphilis, Chlam, and Gono in an anonymous test center but she also said she had another partner recently.
They usually do not test for herpes. So either way, I will go back to the states and should be at the 6-week mark.
Should it be okay if I test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, and herpes by six weeks and no symptoms?

When should a test be done?
Any way to go back in time?

Help

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

Welcome back to the form. I’ll be glad to comment. As a generalization, most people are not infected and a single encounter with an infected partner usually does not result in transmission of infection. Thus, on a purely statistical basis with no other information, your risk for infection from this encounter is low.

Here on the forum, for persons with multiple partners we recommend at least annual screening even in the absence of symptoms. The testing that we recommend are tests for the most common STIs for which reliable tests are available. Thus we recommend testing of exposed sites for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Because of concern over these infections, we also recommend blood tests for syphilis and HIV although these infections are quite rare. Like most experts, including the CDC guidelines, we specifically recommend against blood test for herpes in situation such as yours. Even though you have had negative tests in the past false positive tests with these tests occur fairly regularly and create great concern (if you look at your previous interaction with Terri, you’ll see that she to really did not feel strongly that you needed testing following your last encounter and I suspect she would feel the same way at this time).

It’s also great that your partner has agreed to be tested. If her tests are negative, you have no concerns going forward.

I hope this information is helpful to you. Take care. EWH

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40 months ago

Thank you, Dr. Hook,

I am currently in Europe, so soon, it will be my four-day mark without symptoms.

Clam and Gono do not bother me since a shot could take care of them.

My penis is red, but it could be my anxiety.

Syphilis is mainly transmitted with the sore and is almost eradicated in developed countries.

Once again, my concern is Herpes, probably because I know she gets cold sores, and so far, I have been negative.

What would be next if she had a sore inside her mouth and, of course, oral was unprotected?

She did not have any visual symptoms so let's see.

I am doing a Ph.D., so I take statistics into concern: like 1 in a thousand, but sex was rough, not enough for cuts but sure abrasions,

1. I have a set partner, and my main concern is her; if I was to test negative for everything at a six-week mark and lack of symptoms, resume sex as usual?

2. If I were to develop herpes blisters, they would show around day five on average, and at the latest 2-3 weeks, correct?

Thanks in advance and hope my answer and questions do not bother you.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

Thanks for the additional information. With regard to herpes nearly everyone who developed symptoms does so within 10 days of an exposure. The fact that you saw no cold sores on her lips is a good sign. In persons with HSV-1 cold sores appear on the lips and not inside the mouth.

If the redness that you noticed on your penis was due to herpes it would become small blisters filled with clear fluid within 24 hours of being noticed. If this is not happened, I read this you noticed it’s not due to herpes.

I would estimate that your risk of infection from the exposure you describe is certainly less than 1% then probably closer to less than 1/10 of 1%. I really would not worry about it. EWH

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40 months ago

Dr. Hook,

Thanks for your message and I promise after this I will take your recommendations. Just hear me out,

today I am on day 4. No fever, a slightly dry throat but could be allergies, penis is red but not like blister red.

Could be my anxiety but I think it could be smelling stronger of my penis than usual and feeling like a slight discharge, then again, it could be urine. No real pain when urinating and more like an irritated meatus,

I think later on today (day 4,5) or tomorrow morning Day 5, I will go see a GP for a urine test to rule out any of those.

I am applying coconut oil to my penis as a preventive measure.

Statistically speaking my chances are,001% but just trying to amend mistakes.

With all this history my recent partner and my negative test. If I was a true negative for both HSV viruses, the virus would have hit me strong and by now I would have some symptoms correct?

Once again, thanks for all your time and help I have followed you guys since medhelp in the 2000s so, thanks for helping ou when in need.

Kind regards

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client‘s question. Thus, this will be my final response.

I’m glad to hear that you’ll go checked as I believe it will help your anxiety. I anticipate that the provider you see will tell you that you have no concerns and you will find that your tests are negative. As I’ve already mentioned day three or four following an exposure is likely too soon for a typical herpes lesion to appear. Most lesions appear between days five and 10 and virtually all lesions have appeared by the 10th to 12th day. The coconut oil you may be applying as well as repeated self examinations maybe what is causing your penis to be red.

My assessment remains unchanged. Your risk of infection from the exposure you describe and particular year risk for acquiring herpes is very, very low. Take care.

EWH

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