[Question #11435] Unprotected oral/protected vaginal sex
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14 months ago
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Good afternoon, thank you for taking the time to address my question.
This site is wonderful and I'm thankful for all the advice presented so far. I had an encounter 8 days ago with a one-night stand. Long story short, I met this girl in a bar, she wanted me bad, so I said okay and we went back to my hotel.
We started off just laying on the bed cuddling. That turned into kissing (with light to moderate tongue), then eventually I performed unprotected oral on her for a few minutes, then we moved to protected vaginal sex. We fell asleep after that. The next morning, there was more kissing and fingering, and she was masturbating me as well. She eventually performed unprotected fellatio on me, and that was pretty much the end of that.
About me: I have a regular partner. I am primarily concerned with the risk of any STIs that I may pass on to her from this encounter, and secondarily concerned about any that I may harbor in my body unknowingly. I have had really no symptoms since the encounter, except for a slight dull ache in the right side of my scrotum yesterday which subsided after a couple of hours, and a headache and slight sinus type issues which I attributed to seasonal allergies. No fever, chills, sores, sore throat, etc.
About the girl from last week: She was freshly divorced, so I assume monogamous, but I have no idea. She had no sores that I could see anywhere on body that would make me think STI. (Keep in mind, when we were having sex, the lights were off so I couldn't get a clear perfect picture of her down there). When I went down on her, I couldn't taste or smell anything abnormal. The only thing off about here was bad breath, but I attribute that to being dental hygiene-related. And as far as I know, there are no STIs that would present with bad breath anyway.
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14 months ago
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I know it's just my anxiety that's making me wonder (heck, I take three different medications for it), but I thought I would come here to ask and have you all put me at ease. After browsing the forum, I feel like I know what the answers will be, but just looking for reassurance.
1. What, if any, STIs would I be at risk of from this encounter? I know HIV is practically zero, but just thinking of stuff that might be low risk but possible.
2. Would you recommend any testing for anything, even to put my mind at ease? Or is it worth it?
3. Given that I have had no real symptoms up to this point, anything I should be on the lookout for over the next few weeks, or when do you think I would be "in the clear"?
Thank you in advance. I had another question that I forgot, so I am sure I will follow up later.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. I agree with you that because of the steps you took (condom for vaginal sex, kissing, unprotected oral (both giving and receiving), because it was a single exposure, and because you are without meaningful symptoms (your scrotal symptoms do not suggest STI- STI symptoms do not come and go), that this was a very low risk exposure. Most people do not have STIs and as I mentioned, even most single unprotected exposures do not lead to infection. Thus, in response to your specific questions:
1. What, if any, STIs would I be at risk of from this encounter? I know HIV is practically zero, but just thinking of stuff that might be low risk but possible.
Your major risks are for acquisition of gonorrhea and that risk is low. If you had acquired gonorrhea, there is a greater than 90% chance you would have developed penile symptoms by now from receipt of oral sex. There is virtually no meaningful risk for HIV and syphilis is very, very rare. If you had developed herpes and were going to develop symptoms, you most probably would have by now.
2. Would you recommend any testing for anything, even to put my mind at ease? Or is it worth it?
Testing is always a personal choice. A negative test however can do much to relieve any lingering anxiety. If you choose to test, the most important tests to have would be a urine test and throat swab for gonorrhea (as a matter of routine, specimens tested for gonorrhea are typically tested at the same time as tests for gonorrhea are performed). Your risk of chlamydia from the exposures you describe however is far, far lower than your already low risk for gonorrhea.
3. Given that I have had no real symptoms up to this point, anything I should be on the lookout for over the next few weeks, or when do you think I would be "in the clear"?
STIs can occasionally be asymptomatic so, if you are concerned, it is best to test. Testing at this time will provide reliable results for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Blood tests for HIV and syphilis are typically conclusive about 6 weeks after an exposure but I really would not be concerned about either syphilis or HIV. We do not recommend testing for herpes unless you have symptoms
I hope that this information and perspective is helpful. EWH
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14 months ago
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Dr. Hook, thank you so much for your response! I remembered my other question - any reason to abstain from sex or any other sorts of physical contact with my current partner? I assume with risk being low and not suspecting that I would have acquired anything that the answer would be no. Unless you feel any different, I probably won’t test as your advice has helped put me at ease.
Also, one more question if I may:
Would my risk of oral gonorrhea be any different than genital gonorrea, if she was by chance carrying it genitally? I feel like I read somewhere on this site that the risk of the former was lower, but I can’t remember.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Your risk of infection is low, likely less than 1%. I would not feel the need to abstain in your position but that is a personal decision as well.
I agree with your decision to not test.
Gonorrhea is transmitted through DIRECT contact. In addition, gonorrhea is more easily transmitted to the penis than to the throat. I would guess that you r risk for either infection is very, very low, approaching zero.
Hope this helps. EWH
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14 months ago
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Yes sir, that is very helpful. Thank you so much for the follow up! I believe that answers all of my questions, so you can feel free to close the thread.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Thanks for your thanks. I’m glad we could help. Closing the thread now. EWH.---