Get your throat swabbed. (repost from Deli)

[Eight by Six]

I hate to sound like a public service announcement. But I just had a THIRD friend tell me that as a gay man (who regularly sucks other guys to completion), he went into his doctor for a full STD screening because of a chronic sore throat, and the (straight uninformed) family practitioner tested him for gonorrhea and chlamydia by giving him a URINE test... only.

THIS DOESN'T WORK.

 

When he and I talked and I expressed dismay, he followed up with his doctor, who insisted "people don't really get that in their throat - it's very, very unlikely". So he went to another doctor who swabbed. Sure enough... he had gonococcal gonorrhea.

 

I can attest that I personally have had gonorrhea in my throat (in the distant past) and I've known several other friends who have also. And of them - only about half had symptoms... the others just had knowledgeable doctors who knew their risk behaviors and wisely checked them in routine testing. **Also NOTE this infection is getting more and more resistant to antibiotics - and only a few still work, so let's keep on top of it boys!

 

If your physician or practicing clinic doesn't swab your throat - get a new doctor.

Ok - off my soap box.

[+ OliverSaks]

I’m also surprised at the number of bottoms I’ve met who are on PreP and bb who don’t get rectal G/C swab / have never gotten a rectal swab.

 

Some medical person can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think what you said about throat and asymptomatic G/C also applies to catching it rectally - vague symptoms or asymptomatic, urine / urethral swab would not pick it up.

 

Something else to think about

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

My primary physician won't do the things necessary to test for these. He's nearing retirement and isn't interested in keeping up on PrEP. As such, I see another physician in the office for anything related to sexual health.

 

I am one of four patients in the office she sees for PrEP. She swabs for both oral and rectal samples. I find it amusing that she assumes that the rectal swab might cause pain and she apologies every time for needing to do it.

[+ OliverSaks]

My primary physician won't do the things necessary to test for these. He's nearing retirement and isn't interested in keeping up on PrEP. As such, I see another physician in the office for anything related to sexual health.

 

I am one of four patients in the office she sees for PrEP. She swabs for both oral and rectal samples. I find it amusing that she assumes that the rectal swab might cause pain and she apologies every time for needing to do it.

I’m always shocked at how much more uncomfortable the rectal swab is than an actual dick in the ass...

[+ newatthis]

I’m always shocked at how much more uncomfortable the rectal swab is than an actual dick in the ass...

Doesn't have the same associations. It's all in the mind.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I’m always shocked at how much more uncomfortable the rectal swab is than an actual dick in the ass...

 

I've not experienced any discomfort from the rectal swabbing. Yes, I can feel what's going on, but not to the point of pain.

[+ Charlie]

The anal pap test is certainly not pleasant. My gay doctor apologized for the discomfort.

[+ Funguy]

My primary physician won't do the things necessary to test for these. He's nearing retirement and isn't interested in keeping up on PrEP. As such, I see another physician in the office for anything related to sexual health.

 

I am one of four patients in the office she sees for PrEP. She swabs for both oral and rectal samples. I find it amusing that she assumes that the rectal swab might cause pain and she apologies every time for needing to do it.

 

Is she apologizing for the pain/discomfort or the embarrassment/discomfort? Hers or yours?

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

Is she apologizing for the pain/discomfort or the embarrassment/discomfort? Hers or yours?

 

She's apologizing for the pain and she states asks if it hurts.

 

Although I think she is also aware of the embarrassment factor as well. On my last visit, she dropped the swab before getting the sample and had to leave the exam room to get another clean one. Before leaving, she gave me an option to cover up in case someone was walking by as she opened the door.

[+ SundayZip]

She's apologizing for the pain and she states asks if it hurts.

 

Although I think she is also aware of the embarrassment factor as well. On my last visit, she dropped the swab before getting the sample and had to leave the exam room to get another clean one. Before leaving, she gave me an option to cover up in case someone was walking by as she opened the door.

 

Sorry, @sam.fitzpatrick, but this made me chuckle. A totally inappropriate reaction I know, but I couldn't help but imagine walking past an examining room and looking in to see someone bent over the examining table with their pants down and asshole exposed, waiting to be probed.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

Sorry, @sam.fitzpatrick, but this made me chuckle. A totally inappropriate reaction

 

@SundayZip that was the reaction I was expecting - nothing inappropriate at all.

 

Sorry, [uSER=8086] but I couldn't help but imagine walking past an examining room and looking in to see someone bent over the examining table with their pants down and asshole exposed, waiting to be probed.[/uSER]

[uSER=8086]

 

Sounds like a special room at Canyon Club......[/user]

[+ jrhoutex]

@SundayZip that was the reaction I was expecting - nothing inappropriate at all.

 

[uSER=8086]

 

Sounds like a special room at Canyon Club......[/user]

 

@sam.fitzpatrick - "Sounds like a special room at Canyon club...." LOL!!

[MassageDrew]

There’s really no reason not to get tested nowadays. I get swabbed in both the throat and butt. It can be uncomfortable, yes, but the peace of mind knowing I’m clear makes it all worth while.

[body2body]

I volunteered at the Los Angeles Gay Community Service Center Men’s VD Clinic back in the mid 70s. We routinely took 3 GC swabs from every client (oral, anal, urethral). Back then if you went to a straight Doctor they would tell you there was no such thing as pharyngeal gonorhea. It is sad to think that after all this time we are still subject to ignorant heterosexual practitioners. Back then in the old days, we saw as many as 200 clients in a single night, and everyone was tested for GC in three locations and received a Syphilis blood test as well. We used a blind numbered system for results, and it was not uncommon to have clients return with a full house of positive test results. In those days Gay men were terrified of going to their Doctor for fear of being found out.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

None of this is aimed at anyone here. Just general observation:

 

It's not shocking that people don't opt for the most thorough exams/vaccines/medication/bloodwork possible. It's also unfortunate.

 

Let's face it, this is the country where we routinely hear ads about 'being too embarrassed' to talk to your doctor about needing things like Viagra.

 

The doc is there to help keep you functional and healthy. If they can't or won't, move on. If you're too concerned with what your doctor will think of you being brutally honest, perhaps you need to reevaluate your own issues.

 

Be an adult. Preventative care is no joke.

[+ Axiom2001]

I’m always shocked at how much more uncomfortable the rectal swab is than an actual dick in the ass...

 

Two weeks ago at a clinic in San Francisco, the medical assistant asked if I have anal sex. My response was yes!

 

I was apprehensive and somewhat inhibited, for I've had "major hots" for this guy, a former escort "who shall go unnamed publicly as well as privately for a few years now, for he has a fabulously-tight ass and one hell of a huge cock!"

 

He did his job with aplomb; the test was "HIGHLY PAINLESSLY." In fact, I DID NOT feel anything either, for the test was mighty short-lived.

 

ALL results from my tests came back NEGATIVE, and I'm due to return in April for an HIV check-up, using the express system!