STD Related Question

[smeege]

On April 6 I saw an SP at a massage parlour in Edmonton.
Vaginal intercourse with a condom. She performed oral on me with a condom.
I kissed around and on here vagina, no dental dam. I did not go deep, only surface.
I did, however, have very recent handnails and did finger her.

Never thought anything of this.

Beginning of May have experienced upper left abdomen pains.
Went to Dr. he asked about sexual partners...I was taken by surprise, never thought anything of it.

So, dont think my abdomen has much to do with it (maybe swollen spleen)?? But have read way too much on internet. Have had sweats on 3 nights. Have had a 3 week sore throat, now gone, with the swollen glands. Had major cough and congestion.

Now I am having shooting pais in my left forearm, and slight under left arm. Slight pain in between anus and scrotum...very mild.

I am being tested for all std's tomorrow anonymously...and need to wait 2 weeks for my results. As with many my life has been a huge ball of anxiety....thinking my finger with very recent hangnails in this SP might have caused something.

Any thoughts from medical professionals with experience?

Additionally, given my situation as described...I will be doing my test at 2 months. Should I be going back at 3, 6 etc if this proves to be negative for any std's?

 

[Health Nurse]

On April 6 I saw an SP at a massage parlour in Edmonton.
Vaginal intercourse with a condom. She performed oral on me with a condom.
I kissed around and on here vagina, no dental dam. I did not go deep, only surface.
I did, however, have very recent handnails and did finger her.

Never thought anything of this.

Beginning of May have experienced upper left abdomen pains.
Went to Dr. he asked about sexual partners...I was taken by surprise, never thought anything of it.

So, dont think my abdomen has much to do with it (maybe swollen spleen)?? But have read way too much on internet. Have had sweats on 3 nights. Have had a 3 week sore throat, now gone, with the swollen glands. Had major cough and congestion.

Now I am having shooting pais in my left forearm, and slight under left arm. Slight pain in between anus and scrotum...very mild.

I am being tested for all std's tomorrow anonymously...and need to wait 2 weeks for my results. As with many my life has been a huge ball of anxiety....thinking my finger with very recent hangnails in this SP might have caused something.

Any thoughts from medical professionals with experience?

Additionally, given my situation as described...I will be doing my test at 2 months. Should I be going back at 3, 6 etc if this proves to be negative for any std's?

Hi smeege

I don’t know your full medical or sexual history but I can give you some suggestions based on what you have written.

It sounds like you are really worried that the sex in April could have caused the symptoms you started having in May.

Using a condom for vaginal and oral sex will really reduce your risk. It sounds like the risk you are concerned about is from contact with vaginal fluids with DATY and your finger (hangnail). Have a look at our risk chart for STI risk and different types of sex.
http://healthnurse.wordpress.com/faq-about-sexual-health/sti-risks-chart/

The symptoms you describe are not specific for a sexually transmitted infection (STI), especially the upper left abdominal pain. It just sounds like your doctor was just doing a thorough job by asking your sexual history.

It is really common for people to think that any kind of symptom can be related to a STI. For people with general body symptoms (fever, night sweats, body pains etc…) I usually just say that their symptoms are not related to a STI, but since they are concerned it would be a good idea to go for an STI test for peace of mind.

Here is a link on what STI tests we recommend. It could take up to 3 months for a HIV or syphilis test to show positive but both of these tests are very accurate at 6 weeks.
http://healthnurse.wordpress.com/faq-about-sexual-health/3-getting-tested/

You have covered all of your bases by seeing your doctor and going for an STI test.

From what you have written it sounds like your symptoms are probably not related to the sex you had in April. What we see in the clinic often is that the stress, anxiety, lack of sleep etc… related to the worry of possibly having an STI can cause your body to have symptoms.

It can be really hard to wait 2 weeks for results when you are really worried. The only thing I would recommend is to do any activity that can reduce your stress levels why you wait for the results.

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com

 

[smeege]

Thank You for your reply, and the links you provided.

I have only really had my spouse as sexual partner. And I am in good health...overweight and drink too much mind you, a tremendous amount of things going on in life all at the same time. But coping. Stopped having sex with my spouse in February and havent had anything since then, so not worried about possibly infecting anyone.

I will have been at 67 days since this encounter and my test date, or 9.5 weeks. Based on this having been in the low risk category and although I have had the sweats and sore throat...many aroudn me have been sick with the cold too. I have not had any fevers. Ive no doubt the sweats are my anxiety. A lot of anxiety!!

 

[Health Nurse]

Thank You for your reply, and the links you provided.

I have only really had my spouse as sexual partner. And I am in good health...overweight and drink too much mind you, a tremendous amount of things going on in life all at the same time. But coping. Stopped having sex with my spouse in February and havent had anything since then, so not worried about possibly infecting anyone.

I will have been at 67 days since this encounter and my test date, or 9.5 weeks. Based on this having been in the low risk category and although I have had the sweats and sore throat...many aroudn me have been sick with the cold too. I have not had any fevers. Ive no doubt the sweats are my anxiety. A lot of anxiety!!

At the clinic it is common for people to think the worst e.g. they have become infected with HIV. Is your concern over HIV causing most of your anxiety?

If HIV is your main concern I just wanted to let you know that from the sex you described, I would not be concerned. A HIV test performed at 9.5 weeks would give you an accurate result of your HIV status. Negative test results can really help with the anxiety.

HN

 

[smeege]

I tested negative, and i got my dates wrong it was 61 days...so almost 9 weeks. I tested in the province of NB not sure what types of testing they do there?? Do you know. I feel fine, and have been for a while. Feeling less anxiety really. Should I be going back at 3 months for a test? I do not want to ruin my life and infect my spouse. We havent been intimate now since before this incident and really need to get back to normal. Thoughts???

 

[smeege]

Recall my risk exposure was fingering with recent hangnail and kissign inner things and the outside of the vagina. Did not open the vagina etc.

 

[Health Nurse]

Hi smeege

I am not sure what HIV test they use in NB, but I would be surprised if it was not similar to the test we use in BC.

I am glad that you are feeling better and less anxious.

With the HIV blood test we use in BC we say that 95% of people would test positive within 4-6 weeks. I don't know your full sexual history but from the risk you described and a negative HIV test at 9 weeks I would say that you do not have anything to worry about.

A HIV test at 3 months would let you know for sure, so it depends on how you feel about it. If you feel that your anxiety would go higher if you had sex before the 3 month test or if you might not enjoy sex because of this concern, I would suggest delaying sex until you get the 3 month test.

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com