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What Are The Chances Of STD Transmission Through Protected Sex?
Question: I had a possible exposure (protected sex with a woman) to STD 17 days ago. For the last 10 days I feel hot all the time all over the body, particularly the face, arms and legs. It is nearly unbearable at times. Temp is normal (97.8 for me) most of the time. Doctor did CBC (normal) and suspects feeling hot is anxiety related. I think my anxiety is caused by possible virus. My question is this - if the hot, burning, prickly feeling is actually my immune system responding to the virus, will that reaction ever go away since the virus (herpes for example) will never go away? Or will my body adapt and stop reacting in this way? What about when the virus goes dormant - will the body stop reacting then?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely due to STDs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details.
As it is a protected intercourse the chances of transmission of STDs is almost nil.Some STDs like herpes can be transmitted by skin to skin contact or by kiss. It is higher if there were active lesions at the time of contact. It is unlikely .
These symptoms are non specific. It may be due to anxiety as suggested by your treating doctor.
If herpes, lesions would have appeared by now .
Symptoms will definitely reduce or be taken over by our immune system.Lesions will appear or recurr if it stays dormant and will not cause such symptoms.
You can go for STDs panel test to relieve your anxiety.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist
Unlikely due to STDs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details.
As it is a protected intercourse the chances of transmission of STDs is almost nil.Some STDs like herpes can be transmitted by skin to skin contact or by kiss. It is higher if there were active lesions at the time of contact. It is unlikely .
These symptoms are non specific. It may be due to anxiety as suggested by your treating doctor.
If herpes, lesions would have appeared by now .
Symptoms will definitely reduce or be taken over by our immune system.Lesions will appear or recurr if it stays dormant and will not cause such symptoms.
You can go for STDs panel test to relieve your anxiety.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your response. I am unsure though what is meant by the following:
"Symptoms will definitely reduce or be taken over by our immune system.Lesions will appear or recurr if it stays dormant and will not cause such symptoms."
Does this mean that even if the hot feeling (flu like symptom) is caused by immune system trying to fight an initial virus infection like herpes, that the symptom will go away eventually?
And that the hot feeling symptom, assuming a herpes infection, will not reappear even if herpes lesions reappear?
"Symptoms will definitely reduce or be taken over by our immune system.Lesions will appear or recurr if it stays dormant and will not cause such symptoms."
Does this mean that even if the hot feeling (flu like symptom) is caused by immune system trying to fight an initial virus infection like herpes, that the symptom will go away eventually?
And that the hot feeling symptom, assuming a herpes infection, will not reappear even if herpes lesions reappear?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be due to herpes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
It is unlikely to be due to herpes.
Yes these symptoms will reduce in severity over a period of time if the problem is recurrent herpes.
The immune system will take over, So symptoms will reduce if it is a recurrence. Lesions do reduce in severity over a period of time.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Unlikely to be due to herpes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
It is unlikely to be due to herpes.
Yes these symptoms will reduce in severity over a period of time if the problem is recurrent herpes.
The immune system will take over, So symptoms will reduce if it is a recurrence. Lesions do reduce in severity over a period of time.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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