Aa
Too Soon for STD Test - Possible false negative
I had protected anal sex with a CSW and then received unprotected oral from another the following day. The next day (48 and 24 hours from exposure) the tip my penis felt very sore and burned when I urinated. I thought that this might have been from aggressive oral, but I immediately went in for an STD test (urine test for Chlamydia and gonnereahea). It came back negative 48 hours later. The following morning I began to notice white thick discharge from my penis and could see it in my urine. I rubbed some in my fingers and it turned to a white creamy texture.
Was my initial test too soon after exposure? Is it likely that I had a false negative?
I just retested today. Now 7 days from exposure. If this test is negative should I just seek medical attention for a non STI issue assuming symptoms continue?
Was my initial test too soon after exposure? Is it likely that I had a false negative?
I just retested today. Now 7 days from exposure. If this test is negative should I just seek medical attention for a non STI issue assuming symptoms continue?
I appreciate your time and all of the help you provide. Take care.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Ciprofloxacin isn't the recommended treatment for any STD. The injection probably was ceftriaxone, to cover gonorrhea. If the intent was to also cover chlamydia or NGU, you should have had either a single dose of azithromycin or 7 days treatment with doxycycline. However, with two sets of negative tests, and with onset of symptoms too soon for chlamydia or NGU, "I see no need for any further treatment at all. But we don't give only general advice, not direct medical care; you should contact your doctor about advice to continue to stop the cipro.
2) There is no chance of a second false negative result, regardless of time since you last urinated.
3) I'm sorry you weren't clearer about your history when you posted your original question. Perhaps your fear and anxieties resulted in unintentional exaggeration of your symptoms. At this point, I doubt you had gonorrhea or any STD. It's time to move on without worry.
2) There is no chance of a second false negative result, regardless of time since you last urinated.
3) I'm sorry you weren't clearer about your history when you posted your original question. Perhaps your fear and anxieties resulted in unintentional exaggeration of your symptoms. At this point, I doubt you had gonorrhea or any STD. It's time to move on without worry.
Negative again Doc. I went ahead and went the clinic after our discussion and got a shot and Cipro prescription. In retrospect I only saw the discharge one time.
1) should I finish out Cipro? Will it do any goo for other diseases I may have?
2) any possible chance of double false negative with the second one week from exposure? I did go in the afternoon and may have pees before. Still I am assuming it doesn't matter.
3) do you have any other general thoughts going forward?
1) should I finish out Cipro? Will it do any goo for other diseases I may have?
2) any possible chance of double false negative with the second one week from exposure? I did go in the afternoon and may have pees before. Still I am assuming it doesn't matter.
3) do you have any other general thoughts going forward?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The only other possibilities are chlamydia and NGU, but as noted above, it's too soon for these -- unless by chance you'd been infected 1-2 weeks earlier and the recent sexual exposures are red herrings.
If you aren't certain of your GP's STD expertise, consider your local health department STD clinic or its equivalent in other countries, like an NHS GUM clinic. ("GP" may be a hint you're in the UK, where GP is a more frequent abbreviation than in North America.)
Wherever you go, don't try to lead your GP to any particular diagnosis. Just give your story. However, you might ask about whether she has quick access (either in her office or from a lab close by) for a gram stained smear of your urethral discahrge. It takes 5-10 minutes and is pretty accurate for gonorrhea. Whether or not that is done, without awaiting your test results, I would recommend you be treated for gonorrhea -- which also routinely includes coverage for chlamydia/NGU as well. In most of the world, the usual treatment would be an injection of ceftriaxone plus oral treatment either with azithromycin (single dose) or doxycyline (7 days).
You could also print out this thread as a framework for discussion with your doctor or clinic.
If you aren't certain of your GP's STD expertise, consider your local health department STD clinic or its equivalent in other countries, like an NHS GUM clinic. ("GP" may be a hint you're in the UK, where GP is a more frequent abbreviation than in North America.)
Wherever you go, don't try to lead your GP to any particular diagnosis. Just give your story. However, you might ask about whether she has quick access (either in her office or from a lab close by) for a gram stained smear of your urethral discahrge. It takes 5-10 minutes and is pretty accurate for gonorrhea. Whether or not that is done, without awaiting your test results, I would recommend you be treated for gonorrhea -- which also routinely includes coverage for chlamydia/NGU as well. In most of the world, the usual treatment would be an injection of ceftriaxone plus oral treatment either with azithromycin (single dose) or doxycyline (7 days).
You could also print out this thread as a framework for discussion with your doctor or clinic.
If not gonorrhea, what should I discuss with my GP?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Your symptoms and their timing are pretty good for gonorrhea. The anal exposure was safe, assuming the condom didn't break (which you would have noticed). Onset of burning 24 hours after the oral exposure is a bit early, but that certainly could have transmitted gonorrhea and a "white creamy" discharge is typical. Both symtoms are too early for chlamydia or NGU.
That said, I would have expected the gonorrhea test to be positive -- testing at 24-48 hours may have been too early, however. I'm glad you have been retested; I think there's a good chance it will be positive for gonorrhea.
Regardless of the test result, it's an STD; there are no non-STD problems consistent with these symptoms. I agree with your inclination to see a doctor or clinic in person. If the test is negative, professional input will be necessary for further diagnostic testing, and either way you'll need professional advice. Don't take any antibiotics or other treatment before you have been seen in person. Let me know how it all shakes out.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Your symptoms and their timing are pretty good for gonorrhea. The anal exposure was safe, assuming the condom didn't break (which you would have noticed). Onset of burning 24 hours after the oral exposure is a bit early, but that certainly could have transmitted gonorrhea and a "white creamy" discharge is typical. Both symtoms are too early for chlamydia or NGU.
That said, I would have expected the gonorrhea test to be positive -- testing at 24-48 hours may have been too early, however. I'm glad you have been retested; I think there's a good chance it will be positive for gonorrhea.
Regardless of the test result, it's an STD; there are no non-STD problems consistent with these symptoms. I agree with your inclination to see a doctor or clinic in person. If the test is negative, professional input will be necessary for further diagnostic testing, and either way you'll need professional advice. Don't take any antibiotics or other treatment before you have been seen in person. Let me know how it all shakes out.
Regards-- 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.
