Aa
What could be going on?
I am a gay 21 year old male. I had unprotected sex with someone January 28, 2014 which included making out and giving/receiving oral sex (he had a lot of precum). Since then I have had 2 full std panel tests, one at 2 weeks and the other at 8 1/2 weeks post risk, both coming out negative. An elisa hiv test was used. Ive been to the doctors numerous times because the symptoms i have. Throat is inflamed, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea (which may be caused due to anxiety), and chest pain when breathing in (chest pain was random).
I went to a "doc in a box" walk in place because I was having a sore throat and I found out that I have viral phayrngitis mid march, but it isnt going away. I dont feel any pain but my pharynx is just so inflamed. With that I have swollen lymph node glands (not like rock hard glands, but can feel them swollen deep in my neck), and developed an itchy rash 4 days ago. I went to have a mono test and that came back negative and i found out the rash i have is acute dermatitis. What is wrong with me? Do I simply just have viral pharyngitis? It has been a month and 2 weeks since I found out that I have viral pharyngitis, could have been longer.. Why wont it go away?
What is wrong with me?
I went to a "doc in a box" walk in place because I was having a sore throat and I found out that I have viral phayrngitis mid march, but it isnt going away. I dont feel any pain but my pharynx is just so inflamed. With that I have swollen lymph node glands (not like rock hard glands, but can feel them swollen deep in my neck), and developed an itchy rash 4 days ago. I went to have a mono test and that came back negative and i found out the rash i have is acute dermatitis. What is wrong with me? Do I simply just have viral pharyngitis? It has been a month and 2 weeks since I found out that I have viral pharyngitis, could have been longer.. Why wont it go away?
What is wrong with me?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
You had a low risk exposure. Oral sex is inherently low risk for all STDs and zero risk for some. Your HIV test results prove for sure that's not an issue. You don't say exactly what STD tests were done, but the negative results are reliable. However, if testing didn't include a throat swab for gonorrhea, that might be something to discuss with your doctor. (The normal "STD panel" only includes urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, which of course cannot detect an infection at a different anatomic site.)
Still, oral gonorrhea rarely causes symptoms at all and is not a likely cause of ongoing sore throat. Chlamydia rarely infects the throat at all and also causes no symptoms, so that's also not a serious consideration.
Self-perception of enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes is often (usually?) erroneous. If your doctor agrees your neck nodes are enlarged, they probably are -- but if not, I would disregard that symptom. Also, looking at your comment below, throat discomfort or "tiredness" certainly doesn't suggest pharyngitis.
So I can't tell you what is causing your throat symptoms, except that I'm confident they are not due to any STD. Perhaps it's just physical manifestations of anxiety over a sexual decision you regret -- but it isn't an infection from that event.
For reassurance, have a gonorrhea throat swab if not yet done, but I don't expect it to show anything. Beyond that, I recommend no further STD testing.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You had a low risk exposure. Oral sex is inherently low risk for all STDs and zero risk for some. Your HIV test results prove for sure that's not an issue. You don't say exactly what STD tests were done, but the negative results are reliable. However, if testing didn't include a throat swab for gonorrhea, that might be something to discuss with your doctor. (The normal "STD panel" only includes urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, which of course cannot detect an infection at a different anatomic site.)
Still, oral gonorrhea rarely causes symptoms at all and is not a likely cause of ongoing sore throat. Chlamydia rarely infects the throat at all and also causes no symptoms, so that's also not a serious consideration.
Self-perception of enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes is often (usually?) erroneous. If your doctor agrees your neck nodes are enlarged, they probably are -- but if not, I would disregard that symptom. Also, looking at your comment below, throat discomfort or "tiredness" certainly doesn't suggest pharyngitis.
So I can't tell you what is causing your throat symptoms, except that I'm confident they are not due to any STD. Perhaps it's just physical manifestations of anxiety over a sexual decision you regret -- but it isn't an infection from that event.
For reassurance, have a gonorrhea throat swab if not yet done, but I don't expect it to show anything. Beyond that, I recommend no further STD testing.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I should add that the pharyngitis has not really cause any pain. I feel like my throat (or i guess my pharynx) gets "tired" easily...
*I cant really say that the pharyngitis doesnt cause me any pain, but i do find that at random times i get quick pain behind my left inflamed pharynx but very minimal..
*I cant really say that the pharyngitis doesnt cause me any pain, but i do find that at random times i get quick pain behind my left inflamed pharynx but very minimal..
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Noted; see above.
Im sorry Dr., I forgot to mention that the day I found out I had viral pharyngitis , they did a throat swab to see if it was caused by bacteria. Even though the Dr. was sure it was caused virally he still gave me a prescription for penicillin which he advised me not to take until i found the results for the throat infection. Being a hypochondriac that I am, I still took penicillin for 3 to 4 days before find outing out the results.
I know I am a worrier and can understand that some of my symptoms are of me just being worried, but why would I have such inflamed pharyngitis and for this long. its been almost 2 months that my throat has been so inflamed, it looks horrible.
I know I am a worrier and can understand that some of my symptoms are of me just being worried, but why would I have such inflamed pharyngitis and for this long. its been almost 2 months that my throat has been so inflamed, it looks horrible.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In my opinion, two mistakes were made: the doc should not have prescribed penicillin at all, since 90% of pharyngitis is viral; and you should have followed his or her advice and not taken it.
I doubt you still have "inflamed pharyngitis"; self examination is very unreliable, and I'm pretty sure that even if the problem started that way, the pharyngitis per se is now gone and you are left with symptoms that do not indicate current active inflammation. If in doubt, though, consider seeing an otolaryngolotist (ENT specialist) for a second opinion.
In any case, still no STD concerns. So that will end this thread, since STDs are the only topic here. Do your best to move on without worry. Best wishes.
I doubt you still have "inflamed pharyngitis"; self examination is very unreliable, and I'm pretty sure that even if the problem started that way, the pharyngitis per se is now gone and you are left with symptoms that do not indicate current active inflammation. If in doubt, though, consider seeing an otolaryngolotist (ENT specialist) for a second opinion.
In any case, still no STD concerns. So that will end this thread, since STDs are the only topic here. Do your best to move on without worry. Best wishes.
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.
