[Question #9378] STD/HIV Concern

33 months ago

Hi Doctor,

I am a 46 yo married man who, unfortunately, had a drunken affair with a 43 yo married coworker with 3 kids. The exposure was on June 14th with unprotected oral and unprotected vaginal sex. It was a decision we both regretted and she insisted that she did not have any STDs. After a long, anxious 8 weeks I went and got the 10 panel test and all was negative (included HIV 4th gen, syphillis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Hep A/B/C, HSV 1/2 lgG). I thought I was in the clear and resumed unprotected sex with my wife.

Around week 16 I started to get weird pains under my penis glans and started to feel some soreness and pain along one side of my shaft. The pain feels like a sunburn along the skin without visible sores or marks. As you can imagine, I became hyper focused on this and went to urgent care to see if they can help. A quick urine test did not reveal any WBCs and they did a quick blood draw to check CBC and not infection was detected. I took another 10-panel test at week 20 and everything was still negative.

Additional info: During the month of July (weeks 4-8) I completed ED treatment using acoustical waves treatment (jury still out on effectiveness). They recommending that I use a pump to stimulate my penis. After 6-8 uses it became painful and I discontinued its use (weeks 10-12). No immediate discomfort was noted at the time and my urologist does not think I did damage but he seemed fairly dismissive.

I am now anxious and wondering if another round of tests are due? Should i remain intimate with my wife? She has had a sore throat the past week and it has me nervous. Any advice on the penile pain I am experiencing?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

33 months ago

Welcome to our forum and thanks for your question. Thanks as well for your confidence in our service. I’m going to presume that the coworker whom you have a casual encounter with does not make sex outside of her marriage a regular thing. This being the case ( or even if it is not) this was a very low risk exposure. Most people do not have STI‘s and even when they do most exposures do not lead to infection. In your case you, can take additional confidence and having to negative comprehensive STI hi panels performed both of which showed that you were not infected.

The symptoms you describe are not symptoms which suggest any STI and they are occurring far too long after your encounter to represent a recently acquired infection. I find myself wondering whether the pump you used may have caused some sort of irritation or, your acknowledged hyper awareness may be causing you to become aware of sensations what you would otherwise ignore.

I see no reason whatsoever for you to be concerned that your current symptoms might be an STI. I certainly see no reason for additional STI testing.

I hope this assessment is of help to you. If you have any continuing questions, please don’t hesitate do use your update to follow ups for clarification.

Please don’t worry. EWH

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33 months ago

Dr. Hook, thank you for the quick reply.. Your evaluation has eased my anxiety and I will move forward with regular intimacy with my wife. While I do appreciate your help, I hope I don’t have to return for such circumstances. Thank you again.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

33 months ago

I’m pleased that my comments have been helpful. Take care. EWH ---