Low risk, need reassurance

[Sylmil]

Hi doctors,

I was involved in a low risk incident with a csw 8 days ago, where we were involved in mutual masturbation. No penetration was involved at all.
After this event I was suffering from frequent urination and found small stains in underwear in the morning, but from examining my penis couldn't notice any discharge, and I have checking a lot.

I went to the std clinic yesterday (7 days after exposure), and was told that it was too early to test, but to put my mind at rest could have medication for chlamydia and gonorea, as these are the only ones where it was possible, but he did stress it was unlikely. Medication included an injection, but I am not sure what of and 500mg of azithromycin.

The azithromycin was split into 3 pills.  I'm pretty sure I took all of them, but I have a niggling doubt (probably through my anxiety) that I didn't take the third,  as I was taking these whilst walking my mind was all over the place.

I know I have probably over acted, but my anxiety is getting the better of me, as I have a partner that I don't want to infect, and this worry is stopping me from eating, sleeping.

I have the following questions:
1. Would the medication I took, have cured any possible infections, even of I didn't take the last pill of azithromycin?
2. I think I still want to get a test, to completely put this out of my life. When can I have tests for chlamydia and gon so I have reliable results, considering at I took medication yesterday?
3. I have not had any sexual contact with my partner since exposure, but can I pass any infections an other way, ie. bathroom, shared washing sponges etc?
4. Is there anything that you suggest should be my next steps?

I really don't know what to do now, and when I can get tests to figure oh if I was infected or not.

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Last answer.

STDs are not transmitted from person to person through daily household activities, through sharing dining or cooking implements, on sponges, on towels or on toilet seats.  Your concerns are unwarranted and yet another manifestation of your guilt and anxiety related to the events you have described.  Work with your mental health professional.  EWH

[Sylmil]

Thanks doctor I have booked in for testing at 7 days after antibiotics.

However, I have a follow up question.

I have abstained from ANY kind of sexual contact with my partner, but I am petrified of infecting her around the house. I wash my hand endless amounts of times, wash towels when I use them etc, it is driving me mad.

An event I'm especially concerned of is when masturbating in the shower, I ejaculated. I tried to be tidy with this, but keep worrying that I may have got some semen on washing sponges that we use, eventhough at time didn't notice that I did.

My partner would have had a shower around 20 hours after this incident and used the sponges.

Is it all possible she could have got infected like this?
Could bacteria for chlamedia and gonorhea survive in my semen on a sponge for 20 hours?

I totally understand my anxiety is the thing killing me, but need clarification from an expert on this aa it really has me in a state of panic. I am also looking to see the doctor for my anxiety levels.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Whether you test at 7 or 10 days will make little difference.  I would suggest you go on and re-test, then believe the results (I am confident the results will be negative) and move forward with your life.  EWH

[Sylmil]

Thanks for answering.

I am based in the UK. I was given an injection of certain antibiotic (I don't know what this was) and given 500mg of azithromycin.  I was told that this would clear up issues and I could carry on relations with my partner in a week.

As I mentioned the azithromycin was made up of three tablets.  I'm pretty sure I took them all, but have anxiety that I didn't do last one. So two tablets would be 333 mg. I fear this might be irrational and have also been washing my hands many times thru the day, it's driving me mad.

You can probably tell I have sever anxiety issues.

For testing, will a normal urine test be suitable, and will there be a difference in reliability between 7 days as opposed to 10? I just want to solve this ASAP and move one with my life with my partner.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. If your only exposure was masturbation, there is no meaningful risk for STD of any sort.  Whomever told you it was too early to test was wrong-tests would have been reliable at that time and now, having taken antibiotics, there is no further reason for testing.  In answer to your specific questions:

1. Would the medication I took, have cured any possible infections, even of I didn't take the last pill of azithromycin?
The typical dose of azithromycin for chlamydial infection is 1 gram (1000 mg).  Do you know what the dose you took was.  I have a hard time following your post.

2. I think I still want to get a test, to completely put this out of my life. When can I have tests for chlamydia and gon so I have reliable results, considering at I took medication yesterday?
Testing is a waste of time until at least 7-10 days after your last dose of antibiotics. At t hat time youcan be tested and will get reliable information, proving that you are not (and probably never were) infected.

3. I have not had any sexual contact with my partner since exposure, but can I pass any infections an other way, ie. bathroom, shared washing sponges etc?
No, theses are SEXUALLY Transmitted Infections.  They are passed only through sex, not on toilet seats, etc.

4. Is there anything that you suggest should be my next steps? Nothing than what I outlined.  My guess is you were not infected to start with.

I hope my comments are helpful. EWH