Gonnorhea/Chlamydia exposure?

[Randy10]

I had protected oral (I received) and anal (I received) sex with a stranger I met while traveling. About 65 hours after this incident, I had a kind of "tenesmus" like episode, continuously feeling like wanting to go, but not actually going, and irregular bowel movements that lasted for about 6 hours and then disappeared. Subsequently, the next day, I also got a sore throat, which lasted for about 2 days (serious), and now the 2nd day, of "kind of sore", but not hurting.

While all the sex was protected, (we did kiss also), while he was pulling out during anal (before ejaculation), the condom came off, but it didn't leak inside, but could have rubbed against the edges.

Could this be a Rectal Gonnorhea / Chlamydia? When's the best time to get tested, and what type of tests? It's 7 days since the incident.

thanks!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Since your exposures were condom-protected (I agree the way he withdrew did not create any risk), it is probable that your rectal symptoms are unrelated to that particular exposure.  However, presumably you are sexually active with other men, whether in a committed or incidental relationship -- and certainly the symptoms you describe could be due to a rectal STD.  They also could be due to any number of non-STD conditions.

As far as the oral symptoms are concerned, they are even less likely to be STD related.  The only orally acquired STD that might cause sore throat is gonorrhea -- but over 90% of pharyngeal (throat) gonorrhea is asymptomatic.  It's more likely you just caught a minor virus, not an STD.

Having said all that, all persons who are sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships, which obviously includes you, ought to be tested for common STDs from time to time -- at least once a year and as often as every 3 months if casual partnerships are especially common.  So if you haven't been tested recently for gonorrhea (urine, rectal and throat swabs), chlamydia (urine, rectal swab), and blood tests for syphilis and HIV, this probably is a good time, since it's on your mind.  The gonorrhea/chlamydia testing can be done any time (tests are valid within 2-3 days of exposure), but the blood tests should wait until 6 weeks after the last exposure.

In the meantime, this shouldn't be a cause for serious worry.  My bet is that nothing will show up and that your transient symptoms will remain unexplained.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[Randy10]

Dr, I got the Urine test and Throat/Rectal cultures for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia at an STD Clinic. I was diagnosed with Rectal Gonorrhea (no Chlamydia) and got treatment of Vantin. Five days after getting on Vantin (single dose), I now have a bit of a rectal itch and also a sensitivity to touch/press on the right groin/pelvic joint area. Is this just a reaction of the infection being fought off, or is there something else that I should consider?

thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As I said above, I doubt any STD explains your symptoms.  Your "tenseness" seems to be the main (or only) problem here.  Of course if you remain concerned, see a health care provider in person.  But this forum can't help futher.

[Randy10]

Sorry to be a pain Doctor. this is just the second time in my life that I've had a partner who I just met, and also only the second male I've been with (the first being over 10 years ago, someone I knew very well). Therefore, I think I'm a little tense.

I just want to let you know that I haven't had any of the genital/rectal symptoms, I've been passing urine and stool normal and there's no evidence of any cuts, bruises, scabs, lesions (I check 2-3 times a day) and there's no pain while passing urine or stool either, and I haven't noticed any kind of discharge.

The only symptoms I've had are the bowel problems that lasted for about 6 hours and the sore throat. The first occuring about 65 hours after this possible exposure, and the second about 80 hours after.

I will be getting tested for sure, but do you think this might be a high risk situation and is there anything else that I should be concerned about?

Thanks a lot!

[Randy10]

Thanks Doctor, I have not been sexually active in a long time, and prior to this I was tested for the basic 7 about five months ago (six months prior and since, I haven't been active at all), which is why I keep thinking that the two are related.

[Randy10]

Also, I don't seem to have any other symptoms than the above, I've been checking for any kind of lesions/cysts/absess and also any leakage, both from the penis and the anus.