no symptoms=no std????? or not?

[john_B]

Over the last 12 months i have travelled quite a bit and consequently had sex abroad quite a bit. i always had protected sex and have not had any discharges or pain urinateing, would you say that i am clear of std's? the reason i ask is that i had a brief relationship and the person gave me unprotected oral, i am still in contact with this person and she said about 4-6 weeks after that she developed a small pus filled spot in the tonsillar crypts. She has tried pencillan that didn't clear it up and i am concerned that it may have something to do with me. It is white in colour ( if that makes a difference??) A bit like a zit apparently but as i said it hasnt responded to pencillan and she has had it a few months now.  Could this be STD related? Are there any STD's that show symptoms like this in the tonsillar crypts? Sometimes she says it is sore and other times she just feels something at the back of the throat and other times she doesnt notice it. it varies, Is there any OTC Remedies that you could recommend her to try?

What is the incidence in men that have an STD and not show symptoms, is this likely?

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Apart from HPV, absence of symptoms in men is pretty good reassurance, but not perfect.  Symptoms are relative; persons who are very body-aware and are looking for symptoms or signs of infection usually will see something if they get chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis, and often herpes (but usually not HPV).

In any case, I doubt your partner has an STD or anything else she caught sexually from you.  As I said, lack of symptoms indicates you probably don't have anything; and her symptoms don't sound like any of the common STDs.   (In theory one might be concerned about herpes and syphilis,  but it's highly atypical for herpes, and syphilis symptoms would have cleared up with penicillin.)

As to what she has, I can't speculate; and certainly would not recommend any OTC therapy without knowing what is being treated.  She should see a health care provider if the problem persists.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[john_B]

Hi Doc, one more question you mention syphillis as  possible cause,would 2 months after the oral sex ( which only lasted 20-30 seconds before i stopped her, i didnt orgasm) fit in with the timescale of things? i have never seen any chacer or sores around my genitals so takeing that into account and the fact that pencillan never had any affect (250mg four times daily) do you think it is worth me being tested?

[john_B]

just one more question on syphillis testing. How long do you have to wait to get a reliable result and is the test for syphillis accurate. i recently gave blood i believe that they test for syphillis and hiv when they take blood but obviously i would like to know how long you have to wait to get a reliable result.

Thank You - John

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Two months is plenty of time for the syphilis blood tests to become positive; and yes, a syphilis test is done (as well as HIV) for all blood donations.  The exposure you describe is very low risk for syphilis, and in any case would have been cured by the penicillin.

HHH, MD