oral gonorrhea or flu?

[bradleymayer]

Hello,

So from my old post I had some discretions(unprotected oral sex both giving and receiving) months ago and got tested for all STD's but not for oral ones. All came back negative. From your advice it didn't seem very necessary. I have resumed normal sex with my partner.

3 days ago I performed oral sex on my partner. The next day I felt like I had lump in my throat or it was dry and needed to keep swallowing. No pain, more of an annoyance.I checked my throat fearing symptoms of oral gonorrhea and found a white spot on one of my tonsils. I scraped it and it was like a paste and smelled bad. I saw my GP that day and she examined me. Based on my symptoms (no fever, no redness or puss) they thought it was just a tonsilith. I still wanted a test for oral gonorrhea to rule it out. She didn't think it was necessary as she said if I had oral gonorrhea she would be looking for pus in my throat and a fever.

Today I felt as though I was having muscle aches and some lightheadedness. as well as the uncomfortableness in my throat. It does not hurt to swallow or eat. Lozenges help a bit. When i check my own throat now with a light it is not red but it seems like there is a sporadic whitish film over my uvula or back of throat. Though I trust the Dr yesterday when they said I had no pus on my throat.

I now have some muscle aches, occasional lightheadedness and the dry feeling throat. I have no fever.

Im sure it is just anxiety or a coming cold/flu but your help would be appreciated.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. I'll be pleased to comment.  Statistically your risk for gonorrhea is very, very low and your symptoms are not suggestive of any STI, including gonorrhea of the throat. In fact, most cases of gonorrhea of the throat are asymptomatic.  Further, gonorrhea of the throat would not be accompanied by muscle aches.  You may be coming down with the flu (across the U.S. flu rates are quite high at the moment) or some other community acquired, non-STI viral infection or this may be anxiety.  

In the spirit of full disclosure however, I do also need to tell you that your doctor is incorrect about the clinical findings which accompany oral gonorrhea.  It is usually asymptomatic and on examination the throat typically looks normal.  Thus if it would ease your mind, a throat swab might be a good idea (and I do think an important part of addressing this is to ease you mind.  To have symptoms which are not noticed when otherwise distracted is highly suggestive that anxiety is playing a role here).  

I hope these comments are helpful.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The internet is a poor source of information and often wrong.  Symptomatic means that there are no signs and that the infection is best diagnosed by testing.  EWH

[bradleymayer]

There is so much conflicting info as to what the symptoms are on the internet. Knowing that it is almost always asymptomatic what would the signs be if they did present themselves? So we can all set the record straight.

Thank you so much for your knowledge and help Doc!

[bradleymayer]

I should add that when I relax/occupy myself with work/ or have a few drinks I don't seem to notice the symptoms.