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Anxiety or symptoms?
About 12 days ago I gave brief unprotected oral and had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a 48 year old upper middle class business exec type that I met online. I was not fully hard when I had the intercourse (not sure if that makes a difference). I am married and I am now totally freaking out about std exposure, in particular Chlamydia and Syphilus. I am getting tested (asking for full std panel) Thursday but am nonetheless extremely nervous (not sleeping, etc.) about the prospect of a positive test.
I know my anxiety about the issue is a bit out of control, but I am still constantly talking myself into all kinds of fears and convincing myself I have symptoms. I have even convinced myself that I have secondary syphilus from an un related encounter with a prostitute 18 years ago because of some white spots on my tongue, even though I nkow rationally this is pretty unlikely.
I have had Chlamydia before (and it freaked me out) and even though I don't have any obvious symptoms (like discharge or noticeable pain when urinating), I have begun to fear I have some of the more subtle symptoms (peeing a lot, testicular ache) that could just as well be cause by anxiety as the real thing.
Here are my questions:
1) How likely, statistically, would it be to get Chlamydia from 48 year old woman (who told me she was clean and recently tested, but who also told me she has had unprotected sex with guys she met online several times)?
2)Which symptoms of Chlamydia are most likely to present in men, assuming they show symptoms? In other words, do I need to worry (as much) if I don't have any discharge, considering that I have had the disease before and have some idea what it feels like?
3)Do I need to worry about Syphilus, and I do, how much?
4)Any simple advice to make me calm down a bit?
The anxiety is killing me--not sure I can make it another week to get tested and get results...
I know my anxiety about the issue is a bit out of control, but I am still constantly talking myself into all kinds of fears and convincing myself I have symptoms. I have even convinced myself that I have secondary syphilus from an un related encounter with a prostitute 18 years ago because of some white spots on my tongue, even though I nkow rationally this is pretty unlikely.
I have had Chlamydia before (and it freaked me out) and even though I don't have any obvious symptoms (like discharge or noticeable pain when urinating), I have begun to fear I have some of the more subtle symptoms (peeing a lot, testicular ache) that could just as well be cause by anxiety as the real thing.
Here are my questions:
1) How likely, statistically, would it be to get Chlamydia from 48 year old woman (who told me she was clean and recently tested, but who also told me she has had unprotected sex with guys she met online several times)?
2)Which symptoms of Chlamydia are most likely to present in men, assuming they show symptoms? In other words, do I need to worry (as much) if I don't have any discharge, considering that I have had the disease before and have some idea what it feels like?
3)Do I need to worry about Syphilus, and I do, how much?
4)Any simple advice to make me calm down a bit?
The anxiety is killing me--not sure I can make it another week to get tested and get results...
1) Hard to say how likely. The fact that she says she gets tested regularly works in your favor. However, if she is having unprotected sex outside of a mutually monogomous relationship, this increases the risk. Testing is your best option.
2) Discharge is a good indicator of chlamydia, however, it often remains asymptomatic. You cannot totally rely on symptoms to diagnose STD. However, if you do experience discharge or burning, it's a good sign that something is going on.
3) Syphilis isn't especially common, but testing will ease your mind. However, it could take up to 6 weeks for a syphilis blood test to become positive.
4) Since you had unprotected sex, testing for STDs is a good idea. However, try not to let it consume you. Get tested, wait for the results, and then take it from there.
Good luck,
Em
2) Discharge is a good indicator of chlamydia, however, it often remains asymptomatic. You cannot totally rely on symptoms to diagnose STD. However, if you do experience discharge or burning, it's a good sign that something is going on.
3) Syphilis isn't especially common, but testing will ease your mind. However, it could take up to 6 weeks for a syphilis blood test to become positive.
4) Since you had unprotected sex, testing for STDs is a good idea. However, try not to let it consume you. Get tested, wait for the results, and then take it from there.
Good luck,
Em
I think after 12 days you would have started getting some symptoms if you had chlamydia/gonorrhea. Mine started 6 days after an encounter, with redness around the foreskin, discharge, some pain on urination. Any burning, discharge, redness, itching would indicate that something is going on. You didn't mention if you had any symptoms.
If you are getting tested now, and results are clear you are safe. For syphilis, herpes, HIV you need to wait 6-8 weeks and then have blood test.
I think some of your symptoms are purely form anxiety ( i know i have been there).
Good luck.
If you are getting tested now, and results are clear you are safe. For syphilis, herpes, HIV you need to wait 6-8 weeks and then have blood test.
I think some of your symptoms are purely form anxiety ( i know i have been there).
Good luck.
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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.
