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Pain, discharge, no STD. Then what?? Please advise.
Two weeks ago I had a serious lapse of judgement. I was at a strip bar and....to make a long story short found myself receiving unprotected oral and vaginal rubbing on my penis. I was intoxicated; however, I strongly believe that there was no penetration. I would think I would feel it if there was.
In any case, two days later I started feeling discomfort/burning on my urethral opening as well as clear discharge. No pain during urination. It burned AFTER urination and quite frankly was uncomfortable all day. I went to the doctor (6 days after exposure) and was treated and tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Today (2 weeks after exposure) the STD tests came back negative and the dicharge has since stopped; however, I am left with a nagging/burning discomfort on the side of my penis head and shaft, and very minor discomfort at urethral opening. The doctor prescribed Flagyl for posible Trich. I havent taken it yet.
I guess I'm in search of answers and guidance. I don't understand why I'm feeling this discomfort if I don't have an STD. What could I have possibly aquired that night (other than heartache)? I've never had any type of discomfort in my penis before.
I don't know if I should have sex with my wife yet. I have been avoiding sex with her since the exposure and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up this charade. I definitely don't want to trasmit anything to her.
In any case, two days later I started feeling discomfort/burning on my urethral opening as well as clear discharge. No pain during urination. It burned AFTER urination and quite frankly was uncomfortable all day. I went to the doctor (6 days after exposure) and was treated and tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Today (2 weeks after exposure) the STD tests came back negative and the dicharge has since stopped; however, I am left with a nagging/burning discomfort on the side of my penis head and shaft, and very minor discomfort at urethral opening. The doctor prescribed Flagyl for posible Trich. I havent taken it yet.
I guess I'm in search of answers and guidance. I don't understand why I'm feeling this discomfort if I don't have an STD. What could I have possibly aquired that night (other than heartache)? I've never had any type of discomfort in my penis before.
I don't know if I should have sex with my wife yet. I have been avoiding sex with her since the exposure and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up this charade. I definitely don't want to trasmit anything to her.
Dr. H: Thank you for your prompt response.
I have the following comments/questions if you don't mind.
1. In the past week I have taken 1 gram of azithromycin, 400 mg of suprax and today 4 pills of flagyl. Is it safe to assume that this cocktail of antibiotics have taken care of any possible bacterial infection?
2. When I was tested for chlamydia and Gonarrhea, I was also tested for HSV-1 and 2. All negative 6 days after exposure. Probably too early to test for that. Is there anything else that I can be tested for?
3. Is my interpretation of your response correct in that, based on the exposure and symptoms, I most likely contracted NGU and my symptoms will just go away on their own. If so how long does it typically take?
4. Can NGU be transmitted to my wife?
5. What do you recommend I do at this point? I would like to put this all behind me, I just don't know what the next or final step is.
I hope I'm not being a nuisance with all these questions.
Thanks
I have the following comments/questions if you don't mind.
1. In the past week I have taken 1 gram of azithromycin, 400 mg of suprax and today 4 pills of flagyl. Is it safe to assume that this cocktail of antibiotics have taken care of any possible bacterial infection?
2. When I was tested for chlamydia and Gonarrhea, I was also tested for HSV-1 and 2. All negative 6 days after exposure. Probably too early to test for that. Is there anything else that I can be tested for?
3. Is my interpretation of your response correct in that, based on the exposure and symptoms, I most likely contracted NGU and my symptoms will just go away on their own. If so how long does it typically take?
4. Can NGU be transmitted to my wife?
5. What do you recommend I do at this point? I would like to put this all behind me, I just don't know what the next or final step is.
I hope I'm not being a nuisance with all these questions.
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
The "vaginal rubbing" with your penis ("outercourse") carried little or no STD risk. However, it is likely you acquired nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) from the oral sex exposure. Routine STD testing checks for gonorrhea and chlamydia, but there are no specific tests for NGU.
NGU symptoms usually start 7-10 days after exposure, but there are exceptions. The onset only 2-3 days later suggests one of two possibilities: gonorrhea, which you didn't have; and certain viruses. The two viruses most commonly responsible for NGU are adenovirus (one of the common cold viruses); and HSV-1, the cause of oral herpes. In either case, the symptoms clear up on their own, without treatment. Trichomonas indeed is an occasional cause of NGU, but it can't be acquired by oral sex -- so I doubt that was the problem, and suspect your symptoms just got better on their own, not due to the metronidazole (Flagyl).
Of these possibilities, the one of greatest concern probably is herpes. However, that's actually pretty unlikely; most new herpes causes overt blisters or open sores on the penile skin, not only NGU. But you could have testing for it if you want. A negative blood test for HSV-1, followed by a positive repeat test in a few weeks, would show that was the cause.
As far as sex with your wife is concerned, most likely you no longer have anything you could transmit to her. However, I cannot guarantee that, especially if herpes was the cause.
I hope this helps sort things out. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The "vaginal rubbing" with your penis ("outercourse") carried little or no STD risk. However, it is likely you acquired nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) from the oral sex exposure. Routine STD testing checks for gonorrhea and chlamydia, but there are no specific tests for NGU.
NGU symptoms usually start 7-10 days after exposure, but there are exceptions. The onset only 2-3 days later suggests one of two possibilities: gonorrhea, which you didn't have; and certain viruses. The two viruses most commonly responsible for NGU are adenovirus (one of the common cold viruses); and HSV-1, the cause of oral herpes. In either case, the symptoms clear up on their own, without treatment. Trichomonas indeed is an occasional cause of NGU, but it can't be acquired by oral sex -- so I doubt that was the problem, and suspect your symptoms just got better on their own, not due to the metronidazole (Flagyl).
Of these possibilities, the one of greatest concern probably is herpes. However, that's actually pretty unlikely; most new herpes causes overt blisters or open sores on the penile skin, not only NGU. But you could have testing for it if you want. A negative blood test for HSV-1, followed by a positive repeat test in a few weeks, would show that was the cause.
As far as sex with your wife is concerned, most likely you no longer have anything you could transmit to her. However, I cannot guarantee that, especially if herpes was the cause.
I hope this helps sort things out. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
