Staph Infection

[reallynervous1]

I've posted here before doc and have more information.  

Had testicle/urethra pain about 6 months ago after sex. Doc initially thought I had epididymitis; urologist diagnosed as prostatitis.

I've tested negative for all STD's, but came up positive for staph after culture. They tested the staph to be sensitive to doxycycline and intermediate with levaquin.

I was on doxycycline for 30 days. Everything was going well and thought it was gone, but it came back PLUS I had really bad side effects (twitching, nausea, loss of sleep, etc.) During this time, had unprotected sex with girfriend.  

Now I'm on levaquin for 40 days. I've seen improvement, but I still feel pains in testicles, urethra, prostate swollen.  

This is a really difficult bug to get rid of. I honestly think I am getting reinfected after sex with my girlfriend. All of the doctors say it can not be transmitted sexually. I don't believe it.

Doc,
Can it be passed through unprotected sex? If I have it my semen and I ejaculate inside her, then how can the staph not be transmitted?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The kind of staph that appear in the urinary tract typically are normal skin bacteria, not sexually transmitted.  Staph is commonly found in cultures from the urine, urethra, or prostate secretions and usually doesn't mean anything; it might not be responsible for your problem.  Your doctors are right; it is transmitted by any personal contact, not just sex, and undoubtedly you carry it on the skin all over your body.  In other words, having staph on the skin or in various body cavities is entirely normal.  Your sex partner(s) aren't at risk and you are not getting reinfected through sex.

This isn't an STD issue, so it's off topic for this forum.  I won't have any further comments or advice for you.

HHH, MD

[reallynervous1]

I don't understand why your tone is a little abrasive.  

Most people posting questions on this site, have physical issues; neither physiological, psychological or imaginary problems conjured by our psyches.

We pay money to get advice.  Maybe some of us come here for a logical explanation or a second opinion because of mistrust with doctors.  

Personally, I have been to 3 different doctors (1 of which is a Chief of Staff of Urology.)  Each doctor/urologist states something different or it's just "in your head" (the chief told me that one; priceless.)

I don't have an STD, but I have a bacterial infection (staph) which is causing me daily pain.  

There are explanations to everything.  I'm getting tired of the medical field because majority of doctors don't have the time, nor patience to really help or explain.  "Take this" or "take that" and your problems will go away.  

Meanwhile, our bodies are possibly at risk of permanent damage from taking these harmful poisons.

We ask you for help, since you're an expert in this field.  

I've read that staph bacteria can be sexually transmitted, meaning I am putting myself and my other in danger of further infection; and God forbid, reproductive failure.

I don't expect you to respond to this; nor looking for any generic explanation.  I feel I've wasted good money on a site where some "ray of hope" was thought to be provided.  

[monkeyflower]

Staph isn't sexually transmitted. I don't know where you got the idea that it would lead to infertility. And I think you might be pushing it a little to say antibiotics are poisons, lol. I have a very close friend with CF, and before her lung transplant spent most of her life on one IV antibiotic or another. When used correctly (i.e. full course, not for viruses, etc.), they're a lifesaver.

I understand that you're not feeling 100%, and I'm sorry you're upset. However, I've seen TONS of posts from guys with virtually identical symptoms, triggered by whatever (but nothing serious nor any STD), and the general consensus is that you may just have to learn to live with the symptoms. Dr. Handsfield has often posted about anxiety magnifying perfectly normal bodily sensations. Any time you dwell on ANY sensation, you automatically intensify it.

Here's a link that many may find helpful:
http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/jsp/somatization.jsp

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'll let other forum users judge which of us is being inappropriately abrasive.  The facts in the first paragraph of my response are accurate.  The closing comment simply reflects the purpose of this forum.  This is an STD forum and you don't have an STD.  What is so complicated about that?

Almost certainly the urologist who believes the problem is "in your head" is correct.  The following statement has been posted in response to many men with symptoms like yours.  It applies to you.  (Maybe I even used it in your past thread--I didn't go back to check.)  In any case, it will be my last comment in this one.

"It is a fact of life that human beings get various aches and pains. Out of the blue there is knee pain, a headache, abdominal discomfort, a stich in the side, tingling down a leg. Sometimes such problems are continuing or recurrent, yet no specific cause ever is found and clearly no important infection or disease is present.

Why should the genital area be any different? Not every symptom means disease. People with such symptoms of course should see a health care provider. But when a comprehensive evaluation comes up with no good explanation, and if the symptoms persist after treatment of the potential infectious causes, it is wrong to assume a serious health problem. Just as some people have to learn to live with unexplained but benign headaches or abdominal pain, others have to live with unexplained genital symptoms.

Our genitals have a special place in our psyches, and unexplained discomfort can be harder to ignore than a painful joint or even a headache. But the principle holds. It's fine to look for harmless things that might help control symptoms. But potentially harmful treatments (e.g., repeated high doses of antibiotics, potent pain controllers) make no sense, and doctor-shopping (or internet shopping) for different answers is fruitless."

[reallynervous1]

Thanks monkeyflower.  

The reason why I think it's sexually related, because how else can the bacteria get in there?  I started having the severe pain 2 days after an unprotected exposure.  

I mean, I'm just trying to rationalize the situation, or get an explanation.  I don't know how everyone says no.

Mentally, I don't dwell on it.  I only do when I'm in pain or get a weird sensation.

Will it make me feel better if someone says, "yes, it's sexually transmitted."  Relieved, maybe.  

My girlfriend called her GYN, and he said no, without any examination.  

I just think there's alot of assumption without medical explanation. There's always an answer to everything.  

[Jerefrancis]

Nervousperson.  The name says it all.  Chill out.  Relax.  Take the doctors advice and move on with life.  Stop trying to pry multiple answers from multiple health professionals.  Get over it.  Take your mind off things...listen to music....take a walk....smoke a cigarette.....hahaha

[confused1031]

It may not be "sexually transmitted" but ti can harbor in the groin area. I had MRSA which is a staph that I had in my body for 2 years and kept getting throat infectiosn..no one could ever figure out what it was when they did though I was treated with antibiotics but it kept coming back my doctor says she believes i get it everytime i have oral sex with my boyfriend because she believes he is harboring it there. so yes it can happen.

[rich7]

A related discussion, staph was started.

[pxm]

A related discussion, Staph Std was started.