Dear Doctor,

I have used around ten or so sex workers in the last ten months. I have always used a latex condom (never broken or spilled) and only ever received oral.

Recently I began to feel unwell; my symptoms are; pain in the groin, pain in the flank, feverishness, some stomach upset, some nausea, and fatigue. The symptoms occasionally come and go apart from the groin pain. This has continued for four months

I have tested negative for HIV (PCR test and a 3 month test), syphilis, chlam, gonorr, NSU and Hep B.

What is my risk for Hep C, and should I get tested? Is there anything else I should be getting tested for?

Many thanks for your help.

[Dr Sean]

Good Morning!

I don'tthink there is any risk of Hepatitis C as you were protected by a condom through the exceptionally low risk event of receiving oral sex.

I do not think you need to test for anything else.

Best wishes, Sean

Thanks for the prompt reply - however I still feel quite unwell. It really feels like a bug, or virus Are there any infectious diseases I might have picked up that are not technically STIs, but could still cause these symptoms? My mind is racing and I've started to google tropical diseases, which I know is probably counterproductive.

Thanks again

[Dr Sean]

Hello again,

well look, you didn't actually expose yourself to anything and the tests you have had have been negative and normal. Obviously if you are concerned about Hepatitis C then you should test for it but on the data presented I think a hepatitis c infection is not possible.

If you are feeling unwell then you may wish to consider general blood tests including things like thyroid etc testing which your doctor should be able to fix for you.

kind regards, Sean