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STDs (Expert Forum)
Could I still have something?
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.
Could I still have something?
by algonquin, Mar 23, 2007 12:00AM
Had horribly stupid drunken uprotected sex outside of long-term relationship (15years) for first time and am terrified and guilt-ridden. I'm terrified will end my relationship and ruin kids lives. And now am convinced that I may have std. Haven't had sex with wife since incident.
2 days after had slight burning in penis but no other symptoms other than ongoing bronchitis/sinus infection. Went to Dr. for repiratory symptoms around same time I started to feel bladder involvement (feeling of fullness and burning and frq. urination). Took 7 days of Biaxin, didn't tell Dr. of genital-uro symptoms (still haven't and no tests). Symptoms seemed to come back, took 1g Zmax, then 250mg x2days, then another 1.5g Zmax in one dose next week. Again came back, still burning, bladder involvement, no other symptoms (no discharge). Took amox w/clav acid 875mg twice a day for 2 weeks and took levofloxacin 500mg 10days (ended 1 week ago). Bladder involvement mostly gone but still a little uncomfortable, so took 2g Zmax followed by another 1g next day (realizing that 2g was better dose for gonnorhea). This was on Tues. Feeling better but still have burning and still feel weird in bladder. Could I still have Gonnorhea or Chlamydia after all that? Could I just be feeling residual from infection? Could it be something else? If so what? Getting reported to health dept would be prob for me, so have resisted getting tested. Will go for anon viral testing though this week.
2 days after had slight burning in penis but no other symptoms other than ongoing bronchitis/sinus infection. Went to Dr. for repiratory symptoms around same time I started to feel bladder involvement (feeling of fullness and burning and frq. urination). Took 7 days of Biaxin, didn't tell Dr. of genital-uro symptoms (still haven't and no tests). Symptoms seemed to come back, took 1g Zmax, then 250mg x2days, then another 1.5g Zmax in one dose next week. Again came back, still burning, bladder involvement, no other symptoms (no discharge). Took amox w/clav acid 875mg twice a day for 2 weeks and took levofloxacin 500mg 10days (ended 1 week ago). Bladder involvement mostly gone but still a little uncomfortable, so took 2g Zmax followed by another 1g next day (realizing that 2g was better dose for gonnorhea). This was on Tues. Feeling better but still have burning and still feel weird in bladder. Could I still have Gonnorhea or Chlamydia after all that? Could I just be feeling residual from infection? Could it be something else? If so what? Getting reported to health dept would be prob for me, so have resisted getting tested. Will go for anon viral testing though this week.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Mar 23, 2007 12:00AM
, Mar 23, 2007 12:00AM
First, the direct answer is no, there is no way you still have gonorrhea or chlamydia after the treatments you have had.
Second, your symptoms do not suggest any STD at all; no STD causes only the symptoms you describe. Urethritis symptoms are ONLY 1) abnormal discharge from the penis and 2) discomfort in the urethra itself, typically felt only as pain/tingling at the tip, without the 'bladder fullness' part. Viral STDs like herpes also do not cause such symptoms.
Your symptoms are absolutely classical for genitally focused anxiety, and that almost certainly is your only problem. You don't need any further STD evaluation or 'viral testing'. You have nothing you can transmit to your wife or that will ever harm your own health.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Second, your symptoms do not suggest any STD at all; no STD causes only the symptoms you describe. Urethritis symptoms are ONLY 1) abnormal discharge from the penis and 2) discomfort in the urethra itself, typically felt only as pain/tingling at the tip, without the 'bladder fullness' part. Viral STDs like herpes also do not cause such symptoms.
Your symptoms are absolutely classical for genitally focused anxiety, and that almost certainly is your only problem. You don't need any further STD evaluation or 'viral testing'. You have nothing you can transmit to your wife or that will ever harm your own health.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Thank you so much. This is almost a load off my mind. Still just a couple of paranoid follow-ups if ok - Is discharge always a symptom of Chl. or Gon.? Any chance that I could have resistant strain of something with limited symptoms? What about Trich? I'm leaning towards just guilt and obsession as cause now, but if had something earlier how long would it have taken for symptoms to go away after treatment?
ScarredPete: There is no appreciable HIV risk unless the casual partner was at particularly high risk for HIV than described, for example if she were a known injection drug user. Read innumerable threads in the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex forum for extensive discussions of HIV risks from heterosexual exposure.