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Why did the doctor ask me if I'm in a relationship? I can't see the relevance

Tagged as: Health<< Previous question   Next question >>
Question - (3 May 2011) 15 Answers - (Newest, 3 May 2011)
A female United Kingdom age 51-59, anonymous writes:

i'v just been to see my doctor i'v got a sore throat.

So what relevance was there to his question to me, asking if i'm in a relationship? why did he ask me if i'm in a relationship? How was that appropriate?

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A female reader, person12345 United States +, writes (3 May 2011):

person12345 agony auntSome STDs, such as Gonorrhea can cause a sore throat.

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A female reader, Gherkinsaregrim Ireland +, writes (3 May 2011):

Because lifestyle has a big impact on health!

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A reader, anonymous, writes (3 May 2011):

He's your doctor, your lifestyle is very appropriate to ask.

OP lifestyle factors give a doctor a better idea of what you may have and what you may be at risk from. I'd say he was just asking you in a roundabout way whether you were sexually active, perhaps to know if damage from oral sex may be a factor, also a person in a relationship is less likely to be promiscuous, lessening the risk that it may an STI. Perhaps there has been a spate of promiscuous women going in with sore throats or perhaps there was a recent study done linking relationships to sore throats. If you weren't then he could cross quite a few possibilities off his list. He could have also asked you if you worked in a dusty environment, if you have kids, if you have had sex in the past few months, if you smoke, if you drink. Next time he asks you something which confuses you ask him why he did that.

OP the more a doctor know about how we live, the more they know what kind of risk factors are present in our lifestyle. It's that simple, if you think a question is inappropriate then just say that. But remember doctor patient confidentiality, telling your doctor something is like telling no one that.

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A female reader, eyeswideopen United States +, writes (3 May 2011):

eyeswideopen agony auntSo what WAS the diagnosis?

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A male reader, olderthandirt  +, writes (3 May 2011):

olderthandirt agony auntHe's probably trying to rule out an STD problem. Why don't you just ask him?

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A female reader, matureflowerx United Kingdom +, writes (3 May 2011):

matureflowerx agony auntI am sure he was only asking incase your infection was contageous so you didn't pass it on to your partner.

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A female reader, So_Very_Confused United States +, writes (3 May 2011):

So_Very_Confused agony auntsocial history is important to your medical records.

my doctor asks about work, stress, my intimate relationship (i.e. are those bruises from your partner inflicted in anger...)

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A female reader, Honeypie United States + , writes (3 May 2011):

Honeypie agony auntIt could be because, Strep Throat (for instance) is transmittable and if not treated, can lead to more serious issues such as kidney problems.

Same for Mono and a few other things that can cause a sore throat.

Or he was trying to be friendly or.. hitting on you.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (3 May 2011):

If you have a virus (most sore throats are viral and highly communicable) and you were in a relationship, he might caution you against kissing/or being in intimate contact with your partner for the next week or so.

It's not a big deal really and a fair question for a health professional to ask.

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A male reader, Illithid United States +, writes (3 May 2011):

Illithid agony auntCould just be small talk, totally unrelated but friendly. Or he could wonder if this is a flu bug or mono or something else, just curious how you caught it.

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A female reader, LilPixie United Kingdom +, writes (3 May 2011):

LilPixie agony auntHmm, maybe he wanted to make sure that it was nothing related oral sex or anything like that?

Beats me - I've never been asked that before and i've been to the doctors about a sore throat plenty of times.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (3 May 2011):

It's appropriate because a sore throat could be a symptom of an STD. He could have just come out and asked you about your sexual activity but doctors have to be careful because too many women will read into it what they say or think it's sexual harrassment.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (3 May 2011):

It was appropriate because you have a sore throat, who have you been kissing.

If he knows your married or with someone that you will have been kissing them, so if you are in one he would then probably ask if their fine to or is it just you with the sore throat.

If no relationship then it can be ruled out that you got whatever it is from then and also that they to may have it.

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A female reader, ArtsyGirl United States +, writes (3 May 2011):

I'm gonna be a little forward with my answer, and by all means I could be wrong about why he asked you, but maybe he didn't see any infection or redness and thought you might be giving too many blow jobs to a significant other. But like I said, I could be wrong and he might be considering you for a date, or asking for a friend, or something professional.

Hope I helped,

Cheers!

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A reader, anonymous, writes (3 May 2011):

Because throat infections can be transmitted through oral sex

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