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STDs (Expert Forum)
Concerned
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Concerned
by polishfalcon, Jun 03, 2006 12:00AM
First off, I found this forum informal and helpful for those with concerns. Myself, 29 straight male who had unprotected sex with a female I met while on vacation, May 14th. She told me she was clean, but I do not know if she was telling the truth. May 17th, got cultured, urine sample, as well blood. Urine results came back with UTI, my Doctor prescribed Cipro at 500mg for 10 days. No lesions,blisters were notice after 17 days,hoping herpes is ruled out. June 2, went to ER for I thought I had chlamydia or gonnorhea, however no milky,cloudy discharge, however some tenderness in the testicles and "light burning sensation on shaft of penis(no rash noticable). ER Doctor did dip stick and lab work on urine, no infection was present and gave me a dose of antibiotics,around 6 pills. ER doctor said if any infection is present the dose of antibiotics will kill the infection if present. (1) Is this true, and from the heavy dose of antibiotics, as well with the Cipro, could I have any trace of chlamydia or gonnorhea? (2)Am I stressing too much? (3) Since no visible signs of rash,blisters,lesions,discharge, should I feel safe in engaging in sexual intercourse.
Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns and welcome your opinions.
Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns and welcome your opinions.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jun 03, 2006 12:00AM
, Jun 03, 2006 12:00AM
First, I have to be skeptical of the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. UTIs are rare in healthy males who don't have an anatomic urinary abnormality or recent urinary tract instrumentation (like a catheter when hospitalized). If you had negative tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia, and had a positive test for the sort of bacteria that cause UTI (like E. coli and others), then perhaps the diagnosis was correct. But it is more likely you had urethritis, i.e. an STD acquired either during your vacation exposure or from a prior sexual exposure. Clinicians who aren't especially familiar with STDs often make this mistake.
In the dose you took, ciprofloxacin would be effective against the likely STD. It isn't ideal against chlamydia, but in that dose probably would be effective. Your June 2 symptoms don't sound like urethritis, and the negative dipstick test is good evidence your infection had cleared up, whatever it was. I'm not sure what additional antibiotic you were given, but azithromycin is a good bet; the normal dose would be 4 pills, not 6, but the ER doc might have decided to use a large dose. It would cover chlamydia in the slight chance you had it and the cipro didn't work, and usually gonorrhea as well.
In any case, with the treatments you have had, you can be 100% certain you don't still have any bacterial STD. There is no particular reason for you to suspect herpes or other STDs in the absence of symptoms.
Next time, you'll probably have a condom-- right?
Good luck-- HHH, MD
In the dose you took, ciprofloxacin would be effective against the likely STD. It isn't ideal against chlamydia, but in that dose probably would be effective. Your June 2 symptoms don't sound like urethritis, and the negative dipstick test is good evidence your infection had cleared up, whatever it was. I'm not sure what additional antibiotic you were given, but azithromycin is a good bet; the normal dose would be 4 pills, not 6, but the ER doc might have decided to use a large dose. It would cover chlamydia in the slight chance you had it and the cipro didn't work, and usually gonorrhea as well.
In any case, with the treatments you have had, you can be 100% certain you don't still have any bacterial STD. There is no particular reason for you to suspect herpes or other STDs in the absence of symptoms.
Next time, you'll probably have a condom-- right?
Good luck-- HHH, MD
HHH, MD