Aa
Post exposure
Dear Doctor,
3 days ago, got drunk and ended up receiving unprotected oral sex from a sex worker for 5 seconds before protected vaginal sex. She did brush her teeth before anything.
Have been worried sick. Not sure if it's anxiety or worry or imagination but since then (since the 1 day after) have occassionaly been getting itches on my penis/scrotum and mild burning sensation (could be too mild be considered a burning sensation). Also do feel the urge to urinate frequently but it could be just anxiety? No other physical symptoms.
2 days ago visited a doctor and got a prescription of azithomycin and zinnat for chlamydia and gnnorrhea. I read that azithomycin could be an effective cure for syphillis too? Also received valtrex as prophylaxis against herpes. Was told its too early to do any tests.
Would like to know the STI risks there are (chlamydia, gnnorrhea, herpes, syphillis, HIV) especialy since there is itches/sensation. Are the symptoms are indicative of any particular STD and when to take STI tests?
Very worried it could be genital herpes as symptoms are supposed to start with itching/mild burning after 2 days?
Your advice would be very helpful, have been worried constantly since then
3 days ago, got drunk and ended up receiving unprotected oral sex from a sex worker for 5 seconds before protected vaginal sex. She did brush her teeth before anything.
Have been worried sick. Not sure if it's anxiety or worry or imagination but since then (since the 1 day after) have occassionaly been getting itches on my penis/scrotum and mild burning sensation (could be too mild be considered a burning sensation). Also do feel the urge to urinate frequently but it could be just anxiety? No other physical symptoms.
2 days ago visited a doctor and got a prescription of azithomycin and zinnat for chlamydia and gnnorrhea. I read that azithomycin could be an effective cure for syphillis too? Also received valtrex as prophylaxis against herpes. Was told its too early to do any tests.
Would like to know the STI risks there are (chlamydia, gnnorrhea, herpes, syphillis, HIV) especialy since there is itches/sensation. Are the symptoms are indicative of any particular STD and when to take STI tests?
Very worried it could be genital herpes as symptoms are supposed to start with itching/mild burning after 2 days?
Your advice would be very helpful, have been worried constantly since then
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your fears are entirley groundless. These are "what if" questions which do nou little good. Brief, final answers.
Would brushing teeth increase risk of bleeding gums or increase chance of transmission of herpes and HIV?
No.
Was told that it's too early to do an STI test. What's the recommended time to get tested conclusively? A week far to soon?
it depends on what you are testing for. Tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia and othe rbacterial STIs are positive 2-3 days after exposure, syphilis can be tested for a month after exposure and testing for HIV can be tested for using a standard antibody tests 8 weeks after exposure.
Also, what symptoms should I watch out and start getting worried at?
Appearance of a new lesion at a site of exposure or genital burning on urination or discharge from your penis.
End of thread. EWH
Would brushing teeth increase risk of bleeding gums or increase chance of transmission of herpes and HIV?
No.
Was told that it's too early to do an STI test. What's the recommended time to get tested conclusively? A week far to soon?
it depends on what you are testing for. Tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia and othe rbacterial STIs are positive 2-3 days after exposure, syphilis can be tested for a month after exposure and testing for HIV can be tested for using a standard antibody tests 8 weeks after exposure.
Also, what symptoms should I watch out and start getting worried at?
Appearance of a new lesion at a site of exposure or genital burning on urination or discharge from your penis.
End of thread. EWH
Thanks very much Dr. Had a few more questions.
Am worried the most for herpes and HIV since those are uncurable. Would brushing teeth increase risk of bleeding gums or increase chance of transmission of herpes and HIV?
Was told that it's too early to do an STI test. What's the recommended time to get tested conclusively? A week far to soon?
Also, what symptoms should I watch out and start getting worried at?
Am worried the most for herpes and HIV since those are uncurable. Would brushing teeth increase risk of bleeding gums or increase chance of transmission of herpes and HIV?
Was told that it's too early to do an STI test. What's the recommended time to get tested conclusively? A week far to soon?
Also, what symptoms should I watch out and start getting worried at?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. I'll try to help. This was a low risk exposure for a number of reasons including that most people do not have STI, particularly in their mouths. I have a number of comments for your including:
1. Most people do not have STIs
2. Most exposures to infected partners do not lead to infection.
3. Your unprotected oral exposure was very brief.
4. Your vaginal exposure was condom protected and condoms make sex safe sex.
5. Your itching symptoms started too soon to be due to an STI. STIs do not become symptomatic in the first two days after exposure.
6. Urinary frequency is not a sign of STIs.
7. The medications you took "just in case" would have cured gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU and syphilis if you had been exposed.
As far as herpes, your symptoms began too soon to be due to herpes which typically becomes symptomatic no sooner than 4 days after an exposure. Further, isolated itching without lesions is not a sign of HSV (but it is suggestive of anxiety).
Bottom line, at this time you really have no reason to worry. If your doctor tested for STIs (and he should have), I am confident the tests will be negative. There is no further need to worry, test, or take additional medications (and I would stop taking your herpes medication if you still are- this is of no proven benefit).
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
1. Most people do not have STIs
2. Most exposures to infected partners do not lead to infection.
3. Your unprotected oral exposure was very brief.
4. Your vaginal exposure was condom protected and condoms make sex safe sex.
5. Your itching symptoms started too soon to be due to an STI. STIs do not become symptomatic in the first two days after exposure.
6. Urinary frequency is not a sign of STIs.
7. The medications you took "just in case" would have cured gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU and syphilis if you had been exposed.
As far as herpes, your symptoms began too soon to be due to herpes which typically becomes symptomatic no sooner than 4 days after an exposure. Further, isolated itching without lesions is not a sign of HSV (but it is suggestive of anxiety).
Bottom line, at this time you really have no reason to worry. If your doctor tested for STIs (and he should have), I am confident the tests will be negative. There is no further need to worry, test, or take additional medications (and I would stop taking your herpes medication if you still are- this is of no proven benefit).
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
Sorry visited doctor 1 day ago, not 2
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.
