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Zithromax STDs
Hello Dr. HHH,
I dated a guy back from October-December and we had sex about 5 times. I know it is not healthy to do this but I recently became paranoid and took 1g of Zithromax today just in case of a STD. I was tested before this guy and was clean. I am unable to get a STD test due to facilities closing pretty early and will get one in a couple months but do you think the 1g would have cured gonnoreha, chlamydia, and syphilis if I did have it? I did not notice any bumps on him and he said he gives blood and nothing has come back wrong (although I am not sure how long ago that was). He also said his last sexual partner was a year before me so, if he is telling the truth, there would be nothing to infect me with syphillis because the bump would have to be present, right? He claims he is heterosexual and I am also heterosexual. Thank you!
I dated a guy back from October-December and we had sex about 5 times. I know it is not healthy to do this but I recently became paranoid and took 1g of Zithromax today just in case of a STD. I was tested before this guy and was clean. I am unable to get a STD test due to facilities closing pretty early and will get one in a couple months but do you think the 1g would have cured gonnoreha, chlamydia, and syphilis if I did have it? I did not notice any bumps on him and he said he gives blood and nothing has come back wrong (although I am not sure how long ago that was). He also said his last sexual partner was a year before me so, if he is telling the truth, there would be nothing to infect me with syphillis because the bump would have to be present, right? He claims he is heterosexual and I am also heterosexual. Thank you!
Thank you!! This site is such a God send :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As we discussed above, there is really no point in testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis given your azithromycin treatment since your last sexual exposure -- unless you feel you need to do it for reassurance purposes.
The risk of hepatitis is extremely low after only a few exposures of the sort you describe, unless your partner we known to be infected or especially high risk. And you are correct that as a blood donor, you can be sure he has had negative tests recently. That goes for HIV as well.
Most health departments have the same policy as yours. In my public health STD clinic, routine testing covers the same 4 infections as yours. We don't test for hepatitis except in the special circumstances above; without those indications, patients have to pay for the test.
For those reasons, your closing sentence is exactly correct.
The risk of hepatitis is extremely low after only a few exposures of the sort you describe, unless your partner we known to be infected or especially high risk. And you are correct that as a blood donor, you can be sure he has had negative tests recently. That goes for HIV as well.
Most health departments have the same policy as yours. In my public health STD clinic, routine testing covers the same 4 infections as yours. We don't test for hepatitis except in the special circumstances above; without those indications, patients have to pay for the test.
For those reasons, your closing sentence is exactly correct.
Can I ask one more question to add to this? One doc suggested to get tested for hepatitis. Considering my ex said he donated blood quite a bit and most people I would hope would be truthful, should I get tested for that too in a couple of weeks? The health dept said they usually test just for syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. I have had a temp of 99 for a while and slight burning when I pee (although when I drink water I don't. Mostly it's probably dehydration) and no UTI. This doc seemed to be incompetent (in my opinion) and said the zithromax would do nothing for the bacterial infections (which I simply stated to show how he seemed unfamiliar with STD treatments). Just to put my mind at ease until I can get tested next month. Should I ask the health dept to test for hep and everything else or do you think everything is still fine. The 1g of zithromax killing the bacterial infections and the viral ones being so rare it's nothing to lose sleep over?
Thanks
Thanks
Thank you so much! Your forums are so helpful!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Having been treated, there is no point in testing. If you were infected with any of those infecitons, you were cured -- and your tests would never be positive.
Thank you so much! Do you recommend testing in a couple months?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
You are correct that STD specialists generally don't recommend blind treatment of this sort. However, a single dose of azithromycin (Zithromax) is not likely to be harmful. It effectively treats or prevents syphilis and chlamydia, and probably gonorrhea -- 1 gram is on the low side for reliable activity against gonorrhea, but is still at least 90% effective.
My only other advice is that you keep those condoms happy for the next time!
I hope those comments are helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are correct that STD specialists generally don't recommend blind treatment of this sort. However, a single dose of azithromycin (Zithromax) is not likely to be harmful. It effectively treats or prevents syphilis and chlamydia, and probably gonorrhea -- 1 gram is on the low side for reliable activity against gonorrhea, but is still at least 90% effective.
My only other advice is that you keep those condoms happy for the next time!
I hope those comments are helpful. 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.
