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MSM risks
Hello Doctors-
Situation: 26 year old male, ordinarily very healthy, went to a bathhouse about 2 weeks ago, gave oral to three men and spit out the semen in 2 cases, swallowed in 1. Was a little worried about catching something, but generally felt fine. Starting a couple of days ago have been feeling really tired, down, slight fever, glands in neck are swollen (but not painful). Symptoms have persisted with a stronger fever (101 degrees). No coughing or nasal issues.
What could I have caught? What STDs give these symptoms at this stage? When should I get tested? I'm worried about syphilis or herpes since they seem to be most common in the gay community. Actually just read a bit on HIV and am starting to sweat a little about that too...
Cheers,
John
Situation: 26 year old male, ordinarily very healthy, went to a bathhouse about 2 weeks ago, gave oral to three men and spit out the semen in 2 cases, swallowed in 1. Was a little worried about catching something, but generally felt fine. Starting a couple of days ago have been feeling really tired, down, slight fever, glands in neck are swollen (but not painful). Symptoms have persisted with a stronger fever (101 degrees). No coughing or nasal issues.
What could I have caught? What STDs give these symptoms at this stage? When should I get tested? I'm worried about syphilis or herpes since they seem to be most common in the gay community. Actually just read a bit on HIV and am starting to sweat a little about that too...
Cheers,
John
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The invitation to return was intended just to learn the doc's conclusion and/or results of STD/HIV testing -- not for me to critique the doc's evaluation or provide you with direct medical advice about what to do next. Online searching and advice is fine for putting things in context, but not a substitute for direct care.
From your description of the doctor visit, it seems to me you are in competent hands and I doubt it is necessary for you to see someone else.
That will have to do it for this thread.
From your description of the doctor visit, it seems to me you are in competent hands and I doubt it is necessary for you to see someone else.
That will have to do it for this thread.
I do not understand- you said to return and post the results of a professional medical examination, so that's exactly what I did.
I'm just asking if I should get a second medical evaluation given that this first doctor just glanced at me and cited low chances. I asked my question based on my symptoms not my liking or disliking of the doctor, but you do not answer this.
I'm just asking if I should get a second medical evaluation given that this first doctor just glanced at me and cited low chances. I asked my question based on my symptoms not my liking or disliking of the doctor, but you do not answer this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have no further comment. This forum is not a substitute for direct medical care. If you're not happy with your doctor, find another one. This thread is closed.
I forgot two things:
First, sorry if I angered/ annoyed you in my first original response. I've just become really worried now and wanted to confirm- apologies.
Second, if I do decide to see a different clinic (will also depend on what you recommend) to do the full bloodwork, (and maybe throatswab?), etc., would now (19 days since) be a good time to detect all STDs?
Thank you very much for this forum.
First, sorry if I angered/ annoyed you in my first original response. I've just become really worried now and wanted to confirm- apologies.
Second, if I do decide to see a different clinic (will also depend on what you recommend) to do the full bloodwork, (and maybe throatswab?), etc., would now (19 days since) be a good time to detect all STDs?
Thank you very much for this forum.
Dear Doctor-
Today I visited a doctor and told him about the experience. I was a little disappointed because he just reminded me about the statistics and the chance of catching anything orally with this exposure is extremely low, which I already know well now after hours on the internet. As a result, he recommended no further testing- despite my deteriorating mental state and symptoms!
Since last time: My throat has become slightly sore (redness on both tonsils), however one tonsil (my right one) is noticeably more sore than the other (and has two white spots on it, which have become slightly larger in the past few days). Additionally, like I said before, I notice that the gland in my jaw (same side- right side) has become swollen (like a pea) and has become more firm in the past few days as the white tonsil spots have developed (same side). Generally, both neck glands are still swollen, but that same side (right side) neck node is more swollen. My temperature seems pretty normal now- maybe only a tiny fever from time to time.
I told all of this to the doctor- and he even looked at my throat. He said it just looks like a small normal sore throat and should clear up within a few days with optional over the counter medication. He prescribed nothing and recommended against testing at all. I should have insisted on a throat swap for STDs and perhaps done the blood tests to put my mind at ease (especially for HIV), but I didn't. Now I'm wondering if I should spend another $200 on an appointment to get a second opinion about this and insist on test. I usually have fine health and I'm just so scared now that I'm suddenly having health problems after a risky oral exposure. I know the odds are in my favor for STDs and HIV, but I'm now getting very anxious.
Please let me know what your best recommendation about this. I've stopped all sex with my fiancee until I know more. I really hope I haven't just ruined my future and everything...
Today I visited a doctor and told him about the experience. I was a little disappointed because he just reminded me about the statistics and the chance of catching anything orally with this exposure is extremely low, which I already know well now after hours on the internet. As a result, he recommended no further testing- despite my deteriorating mental state and symptoms!
Since last time: My throat has become slightly sore (redness on both tonsils), however one tonsil (my right one) is noticeably more sore than the other (and has two white spots on it, which have become slightly larger in the past few days). Additionally, like I said before, I notice that the gland in my jaw (same side- right side) has become swollen (like a pea) and has become more firm in the past few days as the white tonsil spots have developed (same side). Generally, both neck glands are still swollen, but that same side (right side) neck node is more swollen. My temperature seems pretty normal now- maybe only a tiny fever from time to time.
I told all of this to the doctor- and he even looked at my throat. He said it just looks like a small normal sore throat and should clear up within a few days with optional over the counter medication. He prescribed nothing and recommended against testing at all. I should have insisted on a throat swap for STDs and perhaps done the blood tests to put my mind at ease (especially for HIV), but I didn't. Now I'm wondering if I should spend another $200 on an appointment to get a second opinion about this and insist on test. I usually have fine health and I'm just so scared now that I'm suddenly having health problems after a risky oral exposure. I know the odds are in my favor for STDs and HIV, but I'm now getting very anxious.
Please let me know what your best recommendation about this. I've stopped all sex with my fiancee until I know more. I really hope I haven't just ruined my future and everything...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"So there's no STD with symptoms like mine other than HIV???" That is correct. Did you think I might have changed my mind since my first reply?
Syphilis can cause such symptoms only after 2-3 months; it is not a possible explanation for an infection acquired 2 weeks earlier.
This is not a time to wig out, but to see a health care provider. Stop trying to work out what you do or don't have by online searching. The symptoms you describe are nonspecific, which means that the idential symptoms can be caused by many different conditions. Because you placed yourself at risk for HIV, it makes sense to check it out to be safe. But most likely that's not what you have.
I won't have any further comments unless you decide to return to post the results of a professional medical evaluation.
Syphilis can cause such symptoms only after 2-3 months; it is not a possible explanation for an infection acquired 2 weeks earlier.
This is not a time to wig out, but to see a health care provider. Stop trying to work out what you do or don't have by online searching. The symptoms you describe are nonspecific, which means that the idential symptoms can be caused by many different conditions. Because you placed yourself at risk for HIV, it makes sense to check it out to be safe. But most likely that's not what you have.
I won't have any further comments unless you decide to return to post the results of a professional medical evaluation.
Okay, from looking on the Internet, it seems like Syphilis would also cause swollen glands. Is Syphilis more likely?
Just looked at my body- no rash, and my throat looks normal (I think) but I think my bottom part of my mouth gland is also swollen (like a pea)- just on the right side.
Are there colds or flus without coughing or other respiratory problems? Should I go straight to the doctor's office on Monday?
Just looked at my body- no rash, and my throat looks normal (I think) but I think my bottom part of my mouth gland is also swollen (like a pea)- just on the right side.
Are there colds or flus without coughing or other respiratory problems? Should I go straight to the doctor's office on Monday?
Whoa! So there's no STD with symptoms like mine other than HIV??? I don't think it's a cold/flu because there's absolutely no coughing/ nasal problems. Please tell me that some other more likely STD has those symptoms. Now I'm starting to get very scared!
This was my second time to visit a bathhouse ever- was going to be my last bit of fun before getting married next month! We just learned that my fiancee is pregnant and this would really be bad if I caught HIV. What should I do next? When should I test? Oh Jesus- I'm starting to freak a little now! Oh no...
This was my second time to visit a bathhouse ever- was going to be my last bit of fun before getting married next month! We just learned that my fiancee is pregnant and this would really be bad if I caught HIV. What should I do next? When should I test? Oh Jesus- I'm starting to freak a little now! Oh no...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Statistically, it is most likely you just caught a cold or other virus and that it has nothing to do with your bath house adventures. The symptoms are not those of oral herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, or other STDs. Is is conceivable you have acute retroviral syndrome (ARS), i.e. early HIV infection. However, it is rare to catch HIV by oral sex and it not very likely. Nevertheless, it would be a good idea to contact your partners (if you have any idea who they are) and ask about their HIV status, since apparently you didn't do that before having sex with them; and to consider seeing a health care provider.
As I have said many times on this forum, asking partners about their HIV status is just as important to safe sex as are condoms for anal sex. Even though oral sex is low risk, it's still a good principle -- and think how much less worried you would be if you had done that.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
As I have said many times on this forum, asking partners about their HIV status is just as important to safe sex as are condoms for anal sex. Even though oral sex is low risk, it's still a good principle -- and think how much less worried you would be if you had done that.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
