what test, what fears ?

[enodrevlasttime]

Hello Doctors,

Here is my situation. I live and work in a foreign country in Africa as an expat.
I met a girl two months ago and we engaged in a relationship - protected intercourse - beside some oral sex activities. We commonly decided to get tested for HIV1/2 twice in different labs over the last weeks. The first test used was a single Elisa and the second a HIV Duo Vidas AG P24. Both tests resulted negative. Seen the time-span between the test and her own sayings I doubt she could have been in the window period.

Somehow, the confidence helping and the girl telling me she had tested for chlam etc after her last protected intercourse in Jan ... we ... stupidly engaged in unprotected sex since 2 weeks. I see no particularities on my penile head, nor discharges or whatsoever but I feel like it might be a good idea to test for other STD's.

Since I do not know any doctor here and cannot expose the situation that easily, I would like to ask you what kind of STD's testing you would advice me to do (with her) ? Could you be so kind to give me the 'biological' names of the tests I should do as to avoid the lab to test me (us) for unneeded things ?

Many thanks for the great job on this site !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Both azithromycin and doxycycline are equally effective for treatmetn of chalmydia.   Levofloxacin works as well but htere are fewer data on it.  Most of my patients prefer azithromycin becasue infectins can be treated with a single 1.0 gram does of the medication.  EWH

[enodrevlasttime]

Forgot to add 3rd option as molecule adviced here in Africa : ofloxacine
Your best "buy" Doctor ?

[enodrevlasttime]

Hi Doctor Hook,

I got tested by swab this morning for gonorrhea, chlamydia and NGU.
First time by swab, was a bit impressed but more silly than painful.
Also tested - hopefully out of a bit of paranoia - for HIV.
My girlfriend went two days ago and Chlam is confirmed.
The local physician adviced her to go either : doxycycline or azithromycin.
What sounds best to you as a molecule ? Also do you advice me not to await my own results and start the cure with her at the same time ?

Many tks again !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Tests fpr gon orrhea, chlamydia and NGU can be performed using either a swab or a urine specimen.  Either way it is best if you ahve not voided for at least an hour before the specimen is collected but it does not have to be before your first void of the morining.  EWH

[enodrevlasttime]

Dear Doctor Hook,

How does the swab test functions exactly for me ?
Is it a urine test ?
Do I need to do this first thing in the morning ?
Will go tomorrow and would like to gather the useful info.

Many tks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  You are correct that there is some risk for STD from your exposure however it is small, particularly if there are no symptoms.  If your partner is to be tested the important STDs for her to be tested for are to have swab tests take for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonas.  A blood test for syphilis might be a good idea as well.

If you choose to get tested, the tests I would recommend for your situation are again, a swab test from your penis for gonorrhea, chlamydia and a syndrome called NGU (non-gonococcal urethritis).  A blood test might also be a good idea for you.

As I understand it you have both been tested for HIV so that is not a concern.

Hope these suggestions help.  Take care and please try to engage in protected sex in the future.  EWH

[enodrevlasttime]

I managed to forget to add that next to HIV we both got tested for Hep C : negative result. I am vaccinated against Hep A and B. Tks feedback Doctors.