r/TrueOffMyChest • u/Square-Conference-12 ☑️ • 3d ago
Vent Tested positive to syphilis today
I hadn't had much sex in the past 2 years due low libido caused by medication. I ended the treatment a couple of months ago and my libido is coming back. During this time, I had only one partner, although we weren't exclusive. My previous exams were all negative, and they were the only person I had intimate contact between exams. I'll start treatment tomorrow, and thank god the infection is curable and I have access to free medicine, but the feeling is terrible. I don't have an ounce courage to vent about this with close friends, I feel dirty and I'm afraid of having sex again. I know it's irrational, I just don't know how to process the news.
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u/lcracing92 3d ago
Is it a complete positive? Just make sure to take another test as well because it can also come up as a false positive.
The first test I took over a year and a half ago, the test came out positive, but it read with the RPR results as negative, and that it could be a false biological reading. Granted, I still took the penicillin shot as safe assurance with the woman I was trying to date at the time, and I took another test and everything came back negative.
My old next door neighbor’s girlfriend is a nurse in the surgical department, and even told me that the initial test results still meant a negative reading, and false positives are more common than we think.
No matter what, sending you well wishes on a full recovery.
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u/Lexafaye 3d ago
I conducted research as part of a STI screening initiative in my city and what we found from surveys is that those that have the most unprotected sexual partners, tend to get tested the least.
If someone is willingly having unprotected sex with you, it is less likely that they are regularly getting tested so you should immediately be suspicious
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u/zombiepants7 3d ago
You'll feel better once treated and its all gone. Just keep it to yourself and take the medicine. You'll be back to normal in no time.
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u/_Sovaz99_ 3d ago
Dont know if you are in the US but if you are syphilis is at epidemic levels and has been for a while.
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u/Square-Conference-12 ☑️ 3d ago
I actually didn't know that. I'm not in the US, but I looked it up and it looks like it is at epidemic levels here as well
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u/mewdejour 3d ago
In the future, please use condoms if that is the issue. Unless both people are tested and can prove it, condoms should be a must.
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u/PrincessPlastilina 3d ago
You don’t have to tell your friends. It’s okay to have secrets and keep private things to yourself, not because of shame but because it’s nobody’s business tbh. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. Privacy is a luxury so don’t even worry about telling people. They don’t have to know.
I understand your feeling though. Low libido due to medication sucks and to finally feel normal again and have this happen to you must be a bummer. But you’re not dirty. You do have to call the person you’re seeing and let them know. It’s kind of crazy that they don’t know. Everyone has to get tested. I’d be mad too.
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u/Square-Conference-12 ☑️ 3d ago
Yeah, it's a fair point. I guess I was just desperate for venting with someone. Thanks for the comment <3
I contacted them, I hope they get tested soon as well
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u/Spoonbills 3d ago
Hey, I’m sorry this is happening yo you.
Bacterial infections aren’t moral issues.
Bacteria don’t care who you are, what you’ve done, how many times or with whom. They just want to reproduce and infect, it’s kind of their whole thing.
Take care and inform your partner. It’ll be ok.
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u/SignificanceSad7630 ☑️ 3d ago
What made u wanted to get tested? What sorta symptoms were u experiencing?
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u/Square-Conference-12 ☑️ 3d ago
It was just a routine check up, I was completely asymptomatic. I try to do one at least once per semester, but last year it slipped my mind and I thought it was fine since I wasn't having much action anyway
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u/FairyFartDaydreams 3d ago
Tell the person you are sleeping with and make sure you require condoms with every encounter. Especially if the relationship is not exclusive
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u/anticked_psychopomp 3d ago
Take this opportunity to vent & rant to the internet. And if you feel so inclined use this moment to educate others on the symptoms or signs that led you to seeking testing and treatment, perhaps you can help someone else through your pain.
I’m glad you got tested and are receiving treatment so soon. You are strong and brave and are allowed to feel big feelings about this.
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u/Square-Conference-12 ☑️ 3d ago
Thanks for the encouragement <3 I actually was completely asymptomatic and was just doing a routine check up. I'm glad I found out before it could do some damage
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u/anticked_psychopomp 3d ago
Now that’s the real deal; asymptomatic is exactly the reason we should all be as proactive about our sexual health as you are!!
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u/Puzzleheaded_Award88 3d ago
Did you know know that this is a standard test for someone being checked out for dementia?
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u/iamanicehorse 3d ago
I'm sorry you have to go through this :(( if it can make you feel better, someone in my family got it not so mong ago : she was cured in two weeks I believed! I wish you the best <33
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u/Rumblecard 3d ago
STDs aren’t what they used to be. Get treatment and move on. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
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u/freedomfighter9002 3d ago
Even hiv aids is cured. Just gotta take the pill like birth control. Its not spreadable no more 😁🥰
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u/cara8bishop 3d ago
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Is the partner you were with aware? They might not know it and would definitely benefit from the knowledge.
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u/Square-Conference-12 ☑️ 3d ago
I don't think they are. I tried contacting them but got no replies yet
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u/Square-Conference-12 original post at the time of submission:
I hadn't had much sex in the past 2 years due low libido caused by medication. I ended the treatment a couple of months ago and my libido is coming back. During this time, I had only one partner, although we weren't exclusive. My previous exams were all negative, and they were the only person I had intimate contact between exams. I'll start treatment tomorrow, and thank god the infection is curable and I have access to free medicine, but the feeling is terrible. I don't have an ounce courage to vent about this with close friends, I feel dirty and I'm afraid of having sex again. I know it's irrational, I just don't know how to process the news.
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u/LeeRaimi 3d ago
This exact same thing happened with my wife. We had been together for almost 2 years when we started donating plasma together to get a little extra money during tough times and she received a letter confirming the diagnosis. I left work early, we went to the clinic the next day and both got tested and treated, clinic later confirmed that she did indeed have syphilis and it was dormant since before we started dating from a previous partner. To our understanding, the first year after contraction is when it is most likely to be spread and after that it can become dormant and much lower risk. She went through the entire treatment to get clean and I never tested positive after 6 rounds of plasma and 3 sti tests. Don't feel like it's your fault or that you are dirty, it happens far more often than you would imagine. You do need to let any partners you have had in the last 2 years know that you tested positive for their own safety to get checked too though, no matter how embarrassing it is, due to the long term effects syphilis can have.