[Question #8882] Quick Follow Up / confused

38 months ago

Doctors

This is a follow up to my previous question. Quick recap. "Had unprotected sex with 49 year old white female in Georgia late January" she was a cervical cancer survivor. She tested negative for Gonorrhea/chlamydia/4th generation hiv/ syphilis/ Trich about 5-10 days later. Said it had been 3 months since her last sexual encounter with an ex boyfriend from Lebanon. I tested negative for her a/b/c, syphilis, 4th generation hiv, gon & chlamydia, herpes 1 & 2 exactly on the 42nd day after encounter.

My worry.

I am now worried I gave something to my wife. 2 weeks ago, she got nerve pain and weakness in arms, hands and I think legs, feet. She got a blood test. Creatine Kinase at 400, ANA positive (speckled) 1:160. Protein & sedimentation rate high. Now I'm extremely worried I gave her something. Heard HIV, syphilis, can cause this stuff. What about HTLV 1 or 2?

She goes back this week for more tests. Im extremely worried or her and that I caused this. She's a female in her 40's, great shape. I know yall are not rheumatologist (I think that's how it's spelled)...

thoughts?

38 months ago

Note. I had covid between exposure date and 42nd day testing. And family had stomach bug. If relevant.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

38 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s difficulties but can assure you that your misstep in January is not the cause. You should have confidence in your multiple test results. Further, the symptoms that you describe for her, as well as the laboratory tests you describe are not suggestive of STI. Work to address your guilt and support her but do not worry about STI.

I hope this perspective is helpful. EWH

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38 months ago

Thanks Doctor. I told her about the misstep after it happen. But yes, guilt is there. I went down an internet rabbit hole on HTLV 1 & 2. Guess I was worried since the girls ex was from middle east and she lives near Florida, where I read HTLV was endemic.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

38 months ago

While I applaud your concern for your wife and your decision to disclose your misstep, the fact that your Partner lives near Florida or that her ex was from the Middle East in no way change my assessment.

HTLV is quite rare throughout the United States.

I do however urge you to stay off the Internet. Much of the information that is incorrect because it is out of date, taken out of context, or is just plain wrong and it is difficult to tell what is true and what is not.

Please don’t worry. EWH

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