[Question #11556] protected sex / unprotected oral

13 months ago

Hello,

I have bit of a scare. I engaged one-off with a hooker where protected sex happened as well as unprotected oral sex - both giving and receiving. How big are my chances of catching any STD - mainly from giving and receiving oral sex? Should I refrain from further sexual activity without being tested?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. This was a relatively low risk exposure. As long as the condom was worn throughout and did not break (breaks are obvious), your genital exposure was safe sex.

Among penetrative sexual contacts, oral sex is relatively low risk. Most CSWs do not have STIs and transmission of infection, when present is inefficient- most single exposures do not lead to infection. There has never been a case of HIV proven to be acquired from receipt of oral sex and most other STIs are rare. When STI occurs following oral sex, the most common STI is gonorrhea which is typically symptomatic within 3-5 days after exposure. If you do not develop symptoms within that period, I would consider testing optional. Some clients however do appreciate the comfort that follows a negative urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you choose to do this, tests obtained any time more than 3 days following your exposure will be definitive and most likely, negative.

I hope that this perspective is helpful. EWH

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13 months ago

Thank you very much. There's no symptoms or anything like that. One last follow up question - how much should I be worried about giving unprotected oral sex?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

I would not be worried in the least. EWH---

13 months ago

Thank you. I did (after 8 days) both the urine test and oral swab and got negative results - below. Can I put this issue behind me now? I have bit of a numb gum / wound on my gum - but I've been to the dentist a few days ago and it's on the same place where they were giving me injections against pain, so that's probably that. Am I being crazy to now worry about false negatives and should I just forget it after the results?

Thank you!

Chlamydia trachomatis DNS negativ

Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNS negativ

Mycoplasma genitalium DNS negativ

Trichomonas vaginalis DNS negativ

Herpes simplex Virus Typ 1 DNS negativ

Herpes simplex Virus Typ 2 DNS negativ

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

Thank you for the follow up information. Your swab data are highly reliable. I would have no concerns about false negative results. My advice is that it’s time to put your concerns about STI’s behind you and move forward without concerns. The discovery you are feeling in your gum is certainly unrelated to the exposure you described and could well be due to the injections you received.

Please don’t worry. EWH.

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