STD Help

I recently had a risky sexual encounter in las vegas, unprotected sex.  I am a male in my mid-20's.  

After the encounter I became paranoid and immediately (2 days after the encounter) tested myself for all major STDs.  My results were negative for Chlamidia, Ghonnoreah, Syphilis, HSV2, and HIV.  I tested positive for HSV1 (cold sores).  I think I have had HSV1 for awhile and I'm not overly concerned about it.

Temporarily I felt safe with my test results, but I continued to research STDs (still feeling a little paranoid I guess).  I found out that for the urinalysis and blood test that I had received I should wait AT LEAST 1 week from the encounter to test for Chlamidia, Ghonnoreah, and Syphilis, and at least 6 weeks after the sexual contact to retest for HSV2 (genital herpes).

I was checking myself (i.e. opening my urethra, checking my testicles) at least 20 times per day, probably more.  I noticed what I was sure were unusual instances.  For example, my urethra opening looked larger than normal and a little red from irritation.  I noticed what I can describe as a slight cut next to my urethra opening, and it also seemed like the veins in my testicles were more apparent than usual.  Ocassionally I thought I would notice some sort of clear liquid which didn't appear to be seemen 5 or 10 minutes after urination.

This contant checking lasted for a week while I waited and worried until 10 days after the sexual encounter to be retested for everything except herpes and HIV.  

This time I did the full blood count and urinalysis.  Everything came back negative results, which helped to relieve my paranoia a little.  The specialist who answered my STD questions with the results assured me that I definitely do not have Ghonnoreah, Syphilis, or Chlamidia.  He explained that I had been tested twice (2 days after encounter and 10 days after encounter), and that I can be very very sure that I do not have these STDs.  He explained that because my full blood count results came back as "normal" that I probably don't have any other STDs either (since it doesn't appear that I am fighting an infection).  He reitterated that I still can not know about HSV2 until I am re-tested 6 weeks after the encounter.

It's now been about 5 weeks after the encounter.  My paranoia had gone down quite a bit, but it still is definitely on my mind.  The cut near the opening of my urethra (not inside the hole, but outside, on the side of it) still has not fully healed.  I cannot tell if this is because I have continued to check my penis (especially the area near my urethra), or if it is some sypmtom of an STD.  

The fact that I still do not know about HSV2 worries me, and yesterday I noticed that clear liquid (which I don't think is seemen) about 5 minutes after urination.  I called the people who ran my urinalysis and full blood count.  The operator there told me that my "symptoms" don't seem to be symptoms of herpes, but I still need to wait until the 6 week date to be tested for herpes.  He said that because I tested negative for other STDs that the clear liquid discharge is probably due to a urinary-tract infection.  (Apparently Chlamidia and Ghonnorea can cause clear liquid discharge but he seemed confident in my prior results which said that I don't have those).  

what do you think?  Next week I will get tested for HSV2.  I was told that the results are about 98% accurate (I think it's called the IgG test), and next week will be exactly the 6 week mark.

If my results are negative for HSV2 then what would your advice be?  I will post my results next week for the IgG test.  I really hope it comes back negative.  But I feel that maybe it would make me even more confused.

I want to know why the area around my urethra still appears abnormal (and I can't figure out if it's in my head and from constant-touching) and why I am ocassionally noticing this clear liquid discharge after (usually after urination).  Do you think these are STD related given that I've tested negative so far?  Also, do I need to be concerned about other (more minor) STDs...and how long should I wait to be tested for HIV/Aids?  

[Still_Worried_]

The operator was correct; your symptoms do not sound herpetic in nature.
Your risk from a one time encounter is very low.
Over 70% of people will test positive for herpes, if infected, after 6 weeks from exposure; however, 3 months is the standard time frame we typically advise people because most folks will test positive by then.
Most people will have tested positive for HIV at 6 weeks; however, 8+ weeks is what is typically recommended.
It is very very unlikely you are infected.  If you need the peace of mind, I would recommend redoing both tests at 3 months.  If you cannot wait 3 months, you can test for both next week and redo them at 3.

[RandyJ2010]

Thanks for the reply.  My encounter was with a prostitute (and unprotected) which is what really scares me.  You say that it is unlikely that I'm infected from a one-time encounter.  There were no physical signs of STD on her, which experts have told me reduces the risk, as well as the fact that I already have HSV1 (should also reduce risk of contracting HSV2).

My questions is this, if it is unlikely that I have HSV2 and HIV (which are the two which are really scaring me, and I can't know yet because it is still too soon for results), then what is the cause of that cut near my urethra, and for the ocassional liquid which comes from my urethra?  Are these natural?  Can I see a urologist now to determine what is causing this, or is it most likely psycho-somatic/result of over-touching and over-thinking.  I have already tested negative for "most major STDs" 10 days after sexual exposure through urinalysis and full blood count.  So is it paranoia causing this distress?

[gracefromHHP]

first off call off the crotch watch. your description of what is worrying you is simply you being very anxiety ridden and taking notice to things that do not need noticing. nothing you've mentioned is worrisome for a std at all. If you feel the need to examine yourself, limit yourself to once daily - before or after your shower and no more.  you are just irritating things to boot with all this checking of things!

your gonorrhea and chlamydia testing is accurate but syphilis needs tested for after 6 weeks post encounter and herpes and hiv after 3 months. do not repeat your testing until the 3 month mark. at this point all you are doing is wasting good money and people's time - including your own.

grace

[RandyJ2010]

Thank you for the reply Grace.  One last question, please answer.  After 3 months if I retake the full blood count and urinalysis, if at that point I test negative for Chlamidia, Syphilis, Ghonoreah, HSV2, and HIV, then I will be totally in the clear?  

I mean, if after waiting 3 months, I still test negative for all the diseases I just mentioned then the results will surely be accurate?  For example, are there cases where the results still show negative at 3 months but may actually be positive if re-tested at 6 months or 1 year?

And if my results for the previously mentioned STDs are all negative, are there any other (perhaps less common) STDs that I would still need to check for?  Any key words you can mention which might be infecting me and which I haven't even tested for?

[gracefromHHP]

yes - you'd be in the clear at the 3 month mark with your testing.

[RandyJ2010]

Thank you Grace.  I will post my results at the 3 month mark for anyone who is interested.  Maybe there is someone with a similar case, and anyway I will let them know my results after 3 months.

I understand that after 3 months a urinalysis and full blood count (if negative for everything tested) would be accurate for Chlamidia, Ghonnorea, Syphilis, HSV2, and HIV.  I would not need to be re-tested for them again at any point (even HIV?).  But could you answer the other part of my question please...that is, even if I test negative for all the mentioned STDs, is there still a possibility of having some other (perhaps lesser known) STD or infection?

The reason I'm worried is mainly that the cut near the opening of my urethra has not fully healed (although it looks better than it did when I was constantly touching/checking myself a few weeks ago).

[gracefromHHP]

following up with results is always appreciated :)  so many folks read through the posts and then wonder what the end result was when they are going through similar situations themselves.

you'll just need the regular std testing done - syphilis, herpes and hiv at that point.

you can try just a simple barrier cream for the cut area to see if that helps it heal and protect it from friction - a&d, aquaphor, desitin etc.

[RandyJ2010]

Grace, thank you for all your help.  I suppose my "symptoms" could be from nervousness and over-touching.  I would still like to have one thing cleared up for me, and I'd like your opinion.

Bottom line: I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a prostitute.  As mentioned earlier, I tested negative for Chlamidia, Ghonorea (Gonorrhea), Syphilis, HSV2 and HIV 10 days after the exposure.  I tested positive for HSV1 at that time (which I think I've already had).  Urinalysis and full blood count was "normal" to indicate I'm not fighting any infection.

I understand that I definitely do not have Chlamidia and Ghonorea (Gonorrhea) as the 10 day urinalysis and blood test definitely 100% would have detected those.  I know I need to get re-tested for HSV2 and Syphilis and HIV.  From what I can find out, the chances of HIV infection (even if the prostitute definitely had HIV) is very, very low...even though we had unprotected sex.  I will get re-tested for HIV, but Genital Herpes (HSV2) is what really was bothering me.  The operator told me that because the prostitute had no visual signs and because I am already positive for HSV1 that I have low-risk of genital herpes (but still need to test).

So, this is what I'm really needing to ask;  

Is it possible that although I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a prostitute that I will not receive ANY stds?  I mean, nothing at all?  HIV doesn't seem to be such a high-risk (in fact, very very low), and I've been told I'm at low-risk for HSV2, and I already know that I don't have Ghonorrea and Chlamidia.  So, is it really possible to have unprotected sex with a prostitute and not receive anything at all?  Am I being way way too hopeful?  Is there something else I should check for that's not a "major STD", but could show up in my blood/urine and could be passed to others?  Please let me know what you think.

[gracefromHHP]

yes indeed it is possible that you didn't contract any std's from unprotected sex with a csw but you still have to cover your bases with proper testing at the proper time to know that.

grace

[RandyJ2010]

Grace, thank you.  What concerns me is that this prostitute didn't really seem to care whether we used a condom or not (which tells me that she is this way with other clients).  I don't know why I didn't use a condom...probably the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life.  So even if she is loaded with STDs, still it's possible that I didn't catch anything?

By the way, what is CSW?  I ran a search on it but couldn't really find what it is.

[gracefromHHP]

commercial sex worker aka prostitute

[RandyJ2010]

Are there any statistics on the percentage of non-infected males who have unprotected sex with a prostitute and later test negative for all STDs?  I'd just like to know how possible it is that I have/have-not contracted something.  I know my chances of catching HIV are low (even assuming she had it), and HSV2 is unlikely since there were no visible outbreaks and I already have HSV1 (which lowers the risk)...but I just find it so hard to believe that this prostitute didn't have any diseases at all...and if she did, wouldn't I for sure catch something??  I'm worrying myself sick over this, and can't find any statistics...

[gracefromHHP]

you are driving yourself nuts!!

not much difference between unprotected sex with a csw and unprotected sex with a random gal you meet at a bar to be honest.  odds are the csw is getting better std testing done than the random bar girl to be honest.

you've had no symptoms. give yourself time until you retest. I recommend you stop looking for info and stats and just keep yourself busy until you can do your testing. this time of the year plenty of charities looking for volunteers to help with your free time :)

[RandyJ2010]

Thank you for your help Grace.  I have taken your advice and tried to "lay off the crotch watch".  I will be re-tested for HSV2 and HIV as you recommended (and expecting negative results...i really really hope), but I'm still concerned about "other" STDs I may have acquired..for example, jock-itch, scabbies, trachomanis, etc.  Do I need to be tested for these as well, or is Syphilis, Ghonorea (Gonorrhea), Chlamidia, Herpes and HIV testing sufficient?  Please remember I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a hooker.  Sorry to keep pestering Grace, but although my results for the major STDs (Ghonorea (Gonorrhea), Chlamidia, Syphilis, HSV2, and HIV) have so-far been negative, I'm still worried about the things that I haven't been checked for.  Please tell me what you think.

[CJC2011]

What helped me through the 3 month waiting period was reciting the numbers game to myself.  If the general chance of acquiring HSV-2 is about 1 in a thousand and the chance that I wouldn't have symptoms... and down the road you look at your chances at one in say ten thousand and you realize that if you had a one in ten thousand chance of getting hit by lightning, you'd probably still go outside in a thunderstorm.  

My CSW encounter was protected and I still couldn't come to grips with the fact that I didn't catch HSV-2 or anything else.  It'll take time, but you'll get there.  

Good luck!

[RandyJ2010]

CJ, how do you know that you didn't catch anything else?  Could you tell me what you were tested for, and how long to wait?  How long has it been since your risky sexual encounter?  While you were worried that you had in fact caught something, did you happen to have the psycho-somatic effects, where you looked at your genitals and thought you were seeing "redness, light tingling" etc?

[Still_Worried_]

What's ironic is that higher end CSWs probably have a lower number of stds than the general population; they typically test more often.  I know people that haven't been tested for ANYTHING in over a decade despite a high number of sex partners!!  It's so disconcerting and irresponsible.

[CJC2011]

Well I had my first bout of HSV testing at the 10 day mark.  The doctor said everything was negative and I had nothing to worry about.  Luckily, from the resources at great sites like this, I learned that my test wasn't really accurate and I had to wait till the 3 month mark.  About a month after my encounter I tested for everything else on the spread and repeated my HSV & HIV testing at 12 weeks.  Everything that could be tested for, was tested for.  

What's terrible, is that until now, I've been one of those irresponsible people that never got tested.  I bet that most professional CSW's do at some regular interval.  That's not totally reassuring, but your bet with a CSW can't be much worse than a regular girl you'd pick up at a bar.  

[RandyJ2010]

The thing is that the CSW i was with was not a high-end call girl.  If I had to guess, I would say that she is one of the less responsible types (she was a foreigner from a third world asian country).  And the fact that she didn't seem to care whether we used a condom or not just reconfirms my suspicion that she is a "lower class CSW".  I don't feel secure at all.

[CJC2011]

Well I can't blame you for not feeling secure.  You still have to play the averages though.  The odds are in your favor.  Hopefully your experience is a big a wake up call for you as mine was for me.  

[Still_Worried_]

I agree.  You have to look at the odds.  The odds of her even HAVING HSV or HIV, & then the odds of transmission if she WAS infected (less than 1 in 1000,) & having no obvious symptoms on top of that -- you're looking at a one in a million chance you're infected.   Like CJC stated, you have a better chance of getting hit by lightening.

[RandyJ2010]

Awesome.  Thanks for all this.  I truly am beginning to feel more optimistic.  I understand the likelihood of severe STDs (like HIV and HSV2) are very low.  What do you think my odds are of having ANY infections at all?  I mean, even minor and treatable infections.  Maybe 50/50 that I can walk away from this with no consequences whatsoever?  Please advise.

By the way, going in for a test today (it's only been 5 weeks, but I want to put my mind at ease).  These are same-day results, so I will post my results tomorrow.

[gracefromHHP]

you've had no symptoms. you have no reason for all the worries you have at this point.

just because you paid for sex doesn't mean you will be "paying" for it for the rest of your life!!!  

if you have money to blow and need more ways to spend it, I can forward a few bills your way :)

[Still_Worried_]

Or use your hand instead & use that extra money to donate to herpes research!   He he he

[jj214]

Good Luck Randy I truly do hope your results come back negative and you could let this all go. I've also gone thru a similar incident with a CSW which was a protected incident, I instantly starting feeling the burning tingling feeling which we all know is a sign of an std. I've done all the testing and everything seems to come back negative. I've went a week past 6 months and tested for HIV and HSV-2 IgG Specific test and they all come back negative. But unfortunatly i am still having issues, I have never had any kind of outbreak so i never thuoght it was herpes, but i've had a lot of the other symptoms. Just keep your mind clear stay off the internet, and live your life. Good Luck again.

[CJC2011]

@ jj214 - Did you ever get yourself checked out, aside from your testing?  There seems to be a bunch of non std related issues that can cause all sorts of genital area problems.  I'd keep going back until somebody found something.  It's hard to live with any chronic discomfort, especially in that area.  

[jj214]

I've seen many doctors, internal medicine, disease specialist, dermatoligist, and even a urologist. The reason why i do sometimes think that it is herpes is because of all the symptoms i had right after the incident. I had swollen lymph nodes in my neck, fever about 4 weeks after, i've had swelling in my gums, blurred vision, lower back pains, terrible headaches, and i have noticed small little bumps kind of like musquito bumps that come and go on my head. I've taken two HSV - 2 IgG Specific tests which both have come back negative, one at 5 months and another a little over 6 months. My idiot doctor had tested me with an IgM test at 5 months which had come back positive for HSV -2, he basicially told me I have it.I dont know what else to do, i still have a little redness and pain which comes and goes every other day. I'm giong to have an MRI done soon for my head because there are days that I have compeltely lost it, tons of neurological issues. I wish the damn stripper just told me the truth. This has been a living nightmare.

[CJC2011]

I haven't read anything about HSV causing nearly continuous symptoms in anybody.  Whatever it is that's ailing you, I hope they find out soon.

It's a shame about those IgM tests.  I had a doc run IgM & IgG tests at 10 days post exposure and based on that negative result alone, he told me that I was perfectly fine and didn't need further testing.  I know that if I was recently infected, my IgM would probably but not definitely be positive at 10 days, but it's certainly not enough to rule out HSV.  I'm glad that I got retested at 12 weeks.  

[RandyJ2010]

Please comment:

I didn't have time to see the STD doctor yesterday like I had planned.  I will probably go on Friday this week (which is exactly my 6 week mark since the unprotected sex incident with a prostitute).

Grace, please tell me what I need to be tested for, other than herpes (hsv2) and HIV, because I will wait for the 3 month mark to test for those.

I am interested in being tested for anything that can be tested for (infections, diseases, etc), anything I can be tested for with 99% or better accuracy of results.  Do you have a complete list?  

To be honest I'm as much worried about minor/uncommon stds and infections as I am about hsv2 and HIV (because everything you're telling me is that it is unlikely that I have those two, hsv2 and hiv).  I am really expecting negative results for those, but I still think I must have picked up SOMETHING, and I would like to find out what I have.  Remember, I had unprotected sex with a prostitute (massage parlor).  Surely I have caught SOMETHING (right?)...I'm just hoping that the something is not hiv or herpes.

Is it really possible I have NOTHING?  I just find it hard to believe I've received nothing (which would be great...just hard to believe).  I certainly hope i don't have hsv2 or hiv, as everything else i could probably deal with, if i knew i had it.

So Grace, please answer, at 6 weeks after the contact, what can I be tested for?

[CJC2011]

Yes, it's really possible that you have nothing.  I'm wondering about the context of your encounter.  I'd imagine that it's rare for a massage parlor girl to agree to unprotected sex.  Either she's new, or she was on something and it was probably a rare occurrence.  I doubt she has unprotected sex with every client.  If that was the case, somebody would've come down with something and probably annonymously alerted some authority and had the place shut down.  

I've had some really regrettable unprotected encounters and amazing have been clean my entire life.  It sounds crazy, but the internet does a very good job of feeding our paranoia.  After my last encounter, I spent about 18 weeks completely convinced that I had HSV-2, despite everything saying otherwise.  It was mostly about my shame and regret.  

Let us know how your test goes on Friday.  I wish you the best of luck!

[RandyJ2010]

Really?  You think they are responsible enough to make sure they don't have unprotected sex with clients if they were at risk of infecting them?  That's a little reassuring.  

I called the place and the chinese lady who answered the phone played stupid.  I asked if they check the girls, and she said yes, but hung up on me before I could ask further questions.

Could you please tell me what STDs/infections that I can check for at 6 weeks post exposure?  I'm looking for ANYTHING, abnormalities, STDs, infections, illnesses.  What can I do to cover ALL my bases at the 6 week point?

[Still_Worried_]

What the heck?   Why are you so worried about minor, curable ones?  Take a few pills and it's gone....What's the big deal?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating to go around picking them up, but if it happens, nothing to stress about.  People even in long term relationships can catch things like chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.  Hard to go an entire lifetime without having some kind of bacterial infection.

[CJC2011]

Well I don't think that they're responsible at all, but playing devil's advocate here, if I was running one of those places, I'd be pissed to find out that one of my girls was having unprotected sex with clients.  The more unprotected sex she has, the better her chance of catching something and if she catches something, the better chance of passing it onto a client and if enough clients of a place get infected from one of the girls, the better chance of one of them getting angry and seeking retaliation.  It's all around terrible for the clients and the workers to engage in unprotected sex.  Maybe my logic sucks, but that's how I'm thinking of it.  

I think Grace pretty much summed up all of your tests and info you need.  At this point, just repeating your HSV & HIV tests should be good as far as STD's are concerned.  

[RandyJ2010]

I'm worried about infecting my girlfriend.  I don't want to give her anything at all.  Of course, it would be most devastating to give her HIV or HSV2, so I'm REALLY hoping I don't have those.  But I don't want her to get ANY infections because of me.  Is it possible to check for EVERYTHING?

Luckily, she is out of the country and will be returning in late January (almost exactly the three month mark).  If I test negative a few days before she returns (89 days post exposure), then I can be certain she won't contract anything?

As I mentioned, HSV2 and HIV would be the worst thing to pass to her (and if i test positive then I will have to tell her).  But even if I passed another disease (even if it's less serious)  on to her, then there will be big problems.

I'm so ashamed of what I did.  I am praying to God that he will forgive me.

[Still_Worried_]

Well, you obviously shouldn't be cheating, but I commend you for caring enough about her to get tested prior to having sex with her.  Some guys wouldn't even do that!   You made ONE mistake.  It was wrong, yes, but learn from it.  Obviously you have a good heart if you're this distraught about this incident and you care deeply about not infecting her.  You can take this opportunity to be the best boyfriend you can be from this point on.  Take a deep breath.  It's going to be okay.

If you test negative at the 3 month mark, everything will be virtually 100% accurate except for HSV.  HSV may take longer than 3 months, but most people do seroconvert within that time frame.  It's somewhat rare to take longer than 3 months, but I just wanted to give you the heads up that you wouldn't be 100% in that regard.  I'm not trying to freak you out; I thought it would be best to let you know because someone else is involved in this now.

[RandyJ2010]

So the only diseases/infections which I need to worry about are the "big" ones (Chlamidia, Ghonorea (Gonorrhea), Syphilis, HSV2, and HIV) ?  I don't really need to worry about the other ones, because if I did in fact catch one, I could be treated for it easily, and eliminate the risk of passing it on to others?  Is that correct?  If I do have some bacterial infection of some kind, the problem will kind of take care of itself?

If it takes more than 3 months, by what time would my HSV2 results be 100%?  6 months?

[Still_Worried_]

The "big" ones are HIV & HSV II.  STDs caused by bacteria include syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia (and are curable).  Yes, HSV II results would be virtually 100% at 6 months.

[RandyJ2010]

So this is what I have concluded:

NOW-

Get tested for Ghonnorea, Syphilis, Chlamidia, and any other bacterial infections/STDs.
*If anything tests positive, get cured (should be simple; pill or shot, no complications, quick recovery, no permanent issues, and no possibility of transfering to others after treatment).
*If everything tests negative, have 100% faith in these results and move on (testing now would mean 6 weeks post exposure)

JANUARY-

Get tested for HSV2 (IgG test) and HIV. (12 weeks post exposure)
*If HSV2 tests positive, then I'm infected.  I need to tell my girlfriend, and hopefully we can get through it.
*If HSV2 tests negative, then I can be 99% positive I am not infected.

APRIL- (6 months post exposure)

Get tested for HSV2 and HIV.  If the results are still negative then I can now be 100% sure I do not have these two diseases.  If I did, by this point it would DEFINITELY show in my blood/urine.  I should feel completely comfortable that I do not have any diseases (including minor and major STDs or other infections)


Does this sound like what I should do in my position?  Grace???  This is my game-plan.  Please advise

[RandyJ2010]

Please someone comment.  Also, do you have a complete list of everything I can check for?

[CJC2011]

There's no absolute 100% on anything.  I believe that your HSV-2 IgG antibody test would be around 90-95% positive by 12 weeks.  If you add up the lack of symptoms, small chance of transmission from a one time encounter and it adds up to damn near 100%.  

Your HIV test at 12 weeks should be at least as accurate as the herpes test, probably more.

All of your other tests 10 days post exposure are as accurate as they're going to be.

Repeat the HSV & HIV tests.  Looks like you've been checked for everything else.