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STD ? Confused
Good afternoon,
I will make this brief for the experts on here since I know most of the questions are repetitive for you and I don't want this to be one of them. I had a high risk exposure, went on PEP, tested but have a lingering symptom that is worrying to me. I have a "sore" throat for over a month now. It does not hurt but is red along the back wall of my mouth and uvula. There was also small grey spot in one area for most of the time that has now spread.
See my timeline below:
7/19 - Exposure
7/21 - Started PEP
8/17 - Finished PEP
8/18 - 4th gen test negative (30 days post exp and 1 day post pep)
9/5 - 4th gen test negative (48 days post exp and 19 post pep)
9/5 - Full STD panel - all negative except for Herpes 1
I am testing on 9/18 (60 days post exp & 32 post pep)
The only other thing I want to mention is I did receive a "rash" on both my hands for roughly two weeks in the middle of pep or near the end of pep. Small red dots that looked like they were under my skin, not raised and did not hurt but where just there. My hands were also extremely dry with occasional small white dots of dry skin. As I said it lasted for roughly 2 weeks and disappeared.
Besides that, I have experienced nothing else physical. At this point a lot of mental stress. Originally I thought my "symptoms" were from the Herpes 1 infection or possible HIV, but I no longer think that's the case. The information I find does not point to that which makes me think it might be something else. I have a follow up with my doctor but he is just classifying it as "viral" and pushing me off as respectful as possible. Is it possible my 10 panel is not conclusive yet ?
Thanks in advance.
I will make this brief for the experts on here since I know most of the questions are repetitive for you and I don't want this to be one of them. I had a high risk exposure, went on PEP, tested but have a lingering symptom that is worrying to me. I have a "sore" throat for over a month now. It does not hurt but is red along the back wall of my mouth and uvula. There was also small grey spot in one area for most of the time that has now spread.
See my timeline below:
7/19 - Exposure
7/21 - Started PEP
8/17 - Finished PEP
8/18 - 4th gen test negative (30 days post exp and 1 day post pep)
9/5 - 4th gen test negative (48 days post exp and 19 post pep)
9/5 - Full STD panel - all negative except for Herpes 1
I am testing on 9/18 (60 days post exp & 32 post pep)
The only other thing I want to mention is I did receive a "rash" on both my hands for roughly two weeks in the middle of pep or near the end of pep. Small red dots that looked like they were under my skin, not raised and did not hurt but where just there. My hands were also extremely dry with occasional small white dots of dry skin. As I said it lasted for roughly 2 weeks and disappeared.
Besides that, I have experienced nothing else physical. At this point a lot of mental stress. Originally I thought my "symptoms" were from the Herpes 1 infection or possible HIV, but I no longer think that's the case. The information I find does not point to that which makes me think it might be something else. I have a follow up with my doctor but he is just classifying it as "viral" and pushing me off as respectful as possible. Is it possible my 10 panel is not conclusive yet ?
Thanks in advance.
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If you're in the US and you are age 32 or younger, you almost certainly had the HepB vaccine. I have a daughter who is 32, and she was definitely immunized as a routine vaccination. I have an older son who is 34, and I can't recall if he was vaccinated against HepB - I only remember my daughter's immunization because I had to pull out her record for a job she had at one point.
It may not have been required at that point, but it was certainly routine by the early 1990's.
It may not have been required at that point, but it was certainly routine by the early 1990's.
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I answered this in herpes, but will expand a little.
You've tested negative for everything except hsv1. You have already tested at 6 weeks-ish, and don't need to test for anything again.
The only thing that would take longer than 6 weeks is hep B, and you have probably been vaccinated for that. Check with your doctor.
I know you are focused on this being an STI of some kind, but your symptoms cleared. If it was, your symptoms wouldn't have gone away.
You've tested negative for everything except hsv1. You have already tested at 6 weeks-ish, and don't need to test for anything again.
The only thing that would take longer than 6 weeks is hep B, and you have probably been vaccinated for that. Check with your doctor.
I know you are focused on this being an STI of some kind, but your symptoms cleared. If it was, your symptoms wouldn't have gone away.
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Oh and to clarify my last sentence - if it was a syphilis rash, you'd have tested positive since you had symptoms.
Hi. Thanks again for answering. I posted here because I didn't think I can talk about STD/STI in just the Herpes forum.
Just to confirm, my "sore" throat has not gone away. It is actually starting to spread.
Yes, I tested just shy of 7 weeks so when you say I don't need to test for anything again, do you mean the entire 10 panel or just Herpes ?
Just to confirm, my "sore" throat has not gone away. It is actually starting to spread.
Yes, I tested just shy of 7 weeks so when you say I don't need to test for anything again, do you mean the entire 10 panel or just Herpes ?
Have you gotten a throat culture? Has a doctor seen your throat?
Did you give oral sex? Without that, you wouldn't have an STD in your throat.
Technically, this forum is for broader questions, and herpes is just for herpes, but really, you're likely to get me in either forum, and I don't care so much lol. Just pick one thread and stick to it so I can keep up - that's all I ask. :)
Did you give oral sex? Without that, you wouldn't have an STD in your throat.
Technically, this forum is for broader questions, and herpes is just for herpes, but really, you're likely to get me in either forum, and I don't care so much lol. Just pick one thread and stick to it so I can keep up - that's all I ask. :)
I will stick to this forum.
My doctor did see my throat and performed basic swabs:: covid, different strep and another virus name that I forget. Basic testing, he is old school and does not think outside the box.
No, I did not give oral sex. If that's the definitive of an STD in my throat then that solves that.
Also, not sure if you remember my HSV1 index was 3.91, I just remembered that I tested baseline when exposed back on 7/19 and HSV1 was negative.
My doctor did see my throat and performed basic swabs:: covid, different strep and another virus name that I forget. Basic testing, he is old school and does not think outside the box.
No, I did not give oral sex. If that's the definitive of an STD in my throat then that solves that.
Also, not sure if you remember my HSV1 index was 3.91, I just remembered that I tested baseline when exposed back on 7/19 and HSV1 was negative.
The hsv1 test is unreliable. It misses 30% of infections, so it's hard to say if your 7/19 test was accurate or not.
Did you kiss this person? Hsv1 is almost always transmitted by kissing and oral sex. If they gave you oral, that could transmit it.
If someone has genital hsv1 that they got from receiving oral sex or rimming, it almost never transmits. Herpes has site preferences. Hsv1 prefers the mouth, and hsv2 prefers the genitals.
What this means to someone with herpes is that oral hsv1 is far more likely to transmit than genital hsv1 (ghsv1) and genital hsv2 is. It might produce more outbreaks, but will definitely shed the virus more, making it more infectious.
Without an outbreak present, ghsv1 almost never transmits.
Does that make sense?
Herpes testing sucks. I wish I had better answers for you, but it really does sound viral, or maybe allergic. If it doesn't clear up soon, ask for a referral to an ENT.
Did you kiss this person? Hsv1 is almost always transmitted by kissing and oral sex. If they gave you oral, that could transmit it.
If someone has genital hsv1 that they got from receiving oral sex or rimming, it almost never transmits. Herpes has site preferences. Hsv1 prefers the mouth, and hsv2 prefers the genitals.
What this means to someone with herpes is that oral hsv1 is far more likely to transmit than genital hsv1 (ghsv1) and genital hsv2 is. It might produce more outbreaks, but will definitely shed the virus more, making it more infectious.
Without an outbreak present, ghsv1 almost never transmits.
Does that make sense?
Herpes testing sucks. I wish I had better answers for you, but it really does sound viral, or maybe allergic. If it doesn't clear up soon, ask for a referral to an ENT.
We did not kiss and yes, I received oral.
It makes sense to an extent, basically it could have transmitted from the oral ? If that was the case, shouldn't I have an outbreak at the site which would be my groin ? Is it possible to get HSV1 from oral but the breakout is in my mouth ? Lastly, does my red throat for over a month sound right IF that was the case ?
It makes sense to an extent, basically it could have transmitted from the oral ? If that was the case, shouldn't I have an outbreak at the site which would be my groin ? Is it possible to get HSV1 from oral but the breakout is in my mouth ? Lastly, does my red throat for over a month sound right IF that was the case ?
If you didn't kiss, your symptoms wouldn't be oral. They would be genital.
Hsv doesn't travel through the body. Herpes infects nerve groups, and oral herpes infects the trigeminal nerve, genital herpes infects the sacral ganglia. It physically can't travel the body. Your infection would stay genital or oral.
You can get hsv1 from oral and not get symptoms, but I doubt that's what happened here. It's more likely that you had an oral infection prior.
Your throat would not be sore for a month if you had herpes. A herpes outbreak doesn't last that long. A viral infection wouldn't either, though, so I really think you need to see your doc and get referred to an ENT, or at least get re-tested for strep.
Hsv doesn't travel through the body. Herpes infects nerve groups, and oral herpes infects the trigeminal nerve, genital herpes infects the sacral ganglia. It physically can't travel the body. Your infection would stay genital or oral.
You can get hsv1 from oral and not get symptoms, but I doubt that's what happened here. It's more likely that you had an oral infection prior.
Your throat would not be sore for a month if you had herpes. A herpes outbreak doesn't last that long. A viral infection wouldn't either, though, so I really think you need to see your doc and get referred to an ENT, or at least get re-tested for strep.
Thank you.
You're welcome. :)
Hi. Question ?
As per doctor, he doesn’t feel confident in my STD panel being conclusive at 6 weeks post exposure. He recommends again at at least 10-12 weeks and a follow up at 6 months.
Just wanted to get your feedback. He is a little old school and doesn’t have a lot of STD candidates. Lol.
As per doctor, he doesn’t feel confident in my STD panel being conclusive at 6 weeks post exposure. He recommends again at at least 10-12 weeks and a follow up at 6 months.
Just wanted to get your feedback. He is a little old school and doesn’t have a lot of STD candidates. Lol.
That's way old school.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia is conclusive at 5-7 days, 2 weeks if you're in the UK. (I don't know why the difference, but those are the official guidelines.)
HIV is conclusive at 28 days with the newer 4th Gen DUO tests.
Syphilis is conclusive at 90 days, but the vast majority will test pos by 6 weeks, and since you had symptoms, you'd have tested positive.
Herpes can take up to 12 weeks, but herpes doesn't give you the symptoms you have.
Hep B can take up to 90 days, but you've likely been vaccinated for that, depending on location and age.
Find a new doctor for your sexual health. I don't know where you live - and don't need to know - but find one more current on these things.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia is conclusive at 5-7 days, 2 weeks if you're in the UK. (I don't know why the difference, but those are the official guidelines.)
HIV is conclusive at 28 days with the newer 4th Gen DUO tests.
Syphilis is conclusive at 90 days, but the vast majority will test pos by 6 weeks, and since you had symptoms, you'd have tested positive.
Herpes can take up to 12 weeks, but herpes doesn't give you the symptoms you have.
Hep B can take up to 90 days, but you've likely been vaccinated for that, depending on location and age.
Find a new doctor for your sexual health. I don't know where you live - and don't need to know - but find one more current on these things.
Oh to add to that, I can't remember the last time 6 months was suggested. It's easily 20-30 years ago, and that was for HIV only.
Hi. Thanks for answering again.
Not sure about about my Hep B vaccine and unfortunately I don’t have a way to check although I want to assume. I’m in the states and in my thirties. What about Hep A and C ?
When you said I had symptoms and would have tested positive, is that true across the board ? Even with HIV ? Also, the 4th gen is conclusive ? Not per him, lol.
He seems to be focused on everyone’s immune symptom is different and there can be delays. He is also stating the PEP might have suppressed my immune system, at least for the HIV part.
I do need a new doctor and this might have sealed it. Even though it’s covered, I would like to avoid unnecessary testing.
Not sure about about my Hep B vaccine and unfortunately I don’t have a way to check although I want to assume. I’m in the states and in my thirties. What about Hep A and C ?
When you said I had symptoms and would have tested positive, is that true across the board ? Even with HIV ? Also, the 4th gen is conclusive ? Not per him, lol.
He seems to be focused on everyone’s immune symptom is different and there can be delays. He is also stating the PEP might have suppressed my immune system, at least for the HIV part.
I do need a new doctor and this might have sealed it. Even though it’s covered, I would like to avoid unnecessary testing.
I wouldn't be overly concerned about Hepatitis, in any form. Hep C is VERY rarely transmitted via sex. Most cases arise from injection drug use, so unless your partner was an injection drug user, it is highly unlikely he was infected. Same/similar with Hep B, but also, 95% of people who acquire Hep B as an adult spontaneously clear the infection. I wouldn't test for either in the absence of symptoms or known injections drug use.
Hep A - you'd probably already know. The timespan between infection and symptom onset is a few weeks. You'd likely have vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Hep A also almost always spontaneously resolves.
You can always ask to be tested, but it's not something to be too concerned about from a one-time encounter.
Hep A - you'd probably already know. The timespan between infection and symptom onset is a few weeks. You'd likely have vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Hep A also almost always spontaneously resolves.
You can always ask to be tested, but it's not something to be too concerned about from a one-time encounter.
And yes, you need a new doctor. PEP doesn't "suppress the immune system." It's an anti-retroviral treatment, so it suppresses replication of retroviruses, which is exactly what you would want it to suppress. The protection from an anti-retroviral drug begins to wane as soon as you stop taking it.
Agree with everything Curfew says.
This is all so much for an exposure that you don't really know the duration of. It might have broken at the end for all you know, really.
Find a new doc who is familiar with STDs and HIV. You deserve someone who can treat you properly, and in the US, there are many qualified docs who can.
4th Gen tests have been available in the US since around 2010. Your doctor should know better now.
https://www.immunize.org/laws/hepb.asp - you can find out when the Hep B vaccine was mandated in your state for school. You can also ask your NEW doc for a blood test to see if you have immunities.
Just take a breath.
This is all so much for an exposure that you don't really know the duration of. It might have broken at the end for all you know, really.
Find a new doc who is familiar with STDs and HIV. You deserve someone who can treat you properly, and in the US, there are many qualified docs who can.
4th Gen tests have been available in the US since around 2010. Your doctor should know better now.
https://www.immunize.org/laws/hepb.asp - you can find out when the Hep B vaccine was mandated in your state for school. You can also ask your NEW doc for a blood test to see if you have immunities.
Just take a breath.
I don’t expect a different answer, just want to vent.
Forgot to mention, he also states I should add 35 days on top of the 4th gen window of 18-45 (28 for completion of pep and at least 7 days for the drugs to leave my system). Basically extending the HIV window from 53 to 80 days minimum for a 4th gen since the job of PEP is to suppress. He states it’s a must, especially with my throat symptom changing.
I will probably test for everything at 90 days just for my own personal peace of mind.
Forgot to mention, he also states I should add 35 days on top of the 4th gen window of 18-45 (28 for completion of pep and at least 7 days for the drugs to leave my system). Basically extending the HIV window from 53 to 80 days minimum for a 4th gen since the job of PEP is to suppress. He states it’s a must, especially with my throat symptom changing.
I will probably test for everything at 90 days just for my own personal peace of mind.
I will definitely start looking for another doctor. He is outdated it seems.
He is outdated.
Remember that most people do not have HIV. Just keep that in mind.
Remember that most people do not have HIV. Just keep that in mind.
Hi, just wanted to follow up on this.
As of last night, I've experienced new "symptoms". Besides my lingering red throat, it finally started hurting when I swallow and my tonsils are slightly enlarged. I also have a pain on my left lower back that seems to go to my groin. It's not constant but more of a pulsating feeling if that makes sense.
Negative for COVID, strep, rhino virus and something else I forgot the name. My doctor is sending me for bloods again but thinks I should see an STD doctor which I never heard of. Also told me he can't rule out HIV yet either.
This is the craziest situation, I have ever experienced.
As of last night, I've experienced new "symptoms". Besides my lingering red throat, it finally started hurting when I swallow and my tonsils are slightly enlarged. I also have a pain on my left lower back that seems to go to my groin. It's not constant but more of a pulsating feeling if that makes sense.
Negative for COVID, strep, rhino virus and something else I forgot the name. My doctor is sending me for bloods again but thinks I should see an STD doctor which I never heard of. Also told me he can't rule out HIV yet either.
This is the craziest situation, I have ever experienced.
It's well established that your doctor is an idiot.
He should be referring you to an ENT.
This is not an STD. If you go to the STD specialist - which is probably an STD clinic or infectious disease specialist, they will tell you this is not an STD. You didn't give oral sex, so this can not be an oral STD.
Honestly, this is enough of the STD talk. You don't have an STD. You've tested neg for everything. Your doctor is an idiot and you are doing yourself a disservice by seeing him and by focusing on STDs.
He should be referring you to an ENT.
This is not an STD. If you go to the STD specialist - which is probably an STD clinic or infectious disease specialist, they will tell you this is not an STD. You didn't give oral sex, so this can not be an oral STD.
Honestly, this is enough of the STD talk. You don't have an STD. You've tested neg for everything. Your doctor is an idiot and you are doing yourself a disservice by seeing him and by focusing on STDs.
Lol. Thanks for that.
Honestly I blew him off yesterday but the only thing that made me re-think everything is when he brought up the HIV and stated that I am still within the window period because I'm between 4-6 weeks. Also stated the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can cause back pain.
Honestly I blew him off yesterday but the only thing that made me re-think everything is when he brought up the HIV and stated that I am still within the window period because I'm between 4-6 weeks. Also stated the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can cause back pain.
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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.
