[Question #11731] Risks of STIs/HIV from sex worker

12 months ago

Hey doc

I recently slept with a SW (age is about 30-40) two days ago. We had protected sex but I couldn’t ejaculate and so she took off the condom and started giving me a handjob. Mind you she’s touched her vagina when she put lube on the surface and she was also touching the condom whenever we switched positions during sex. After she took off the condom she wiped my penis and got more lube to put on it. She started jerking off the tip of my penis for I think atleast 15 seconds and I’m really worried that I could have gotten her vaginal fluids in my urethra which I thought would count as a fluid to fluid interaction. I’ve noticed a slight pain in my left groin lymph node when I firmly press on it but no bumps or anything of those sort. So far that’s the only symptom other than the stress and nauseousness from my anxiety. I will update more in the next couple of days. I just wanted to know the risks of me catching any STI or HIV. Thanks Doc.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

12 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions and your implied confidence in our service. It's my pleasure to tell you that the encounter you describe was entirely no risk. Receipt of masturbation from another person regularly results in contact with a partner's genital secretions. Despite this infections from this sort of transfer of genital secretions (whether directly or through transfer on one persons hands to a partner) do not lead to infections and are classified as entirely safe sex by the WHO, the CDC and by Drs. Handsfield and myself. We have never seen or heard of anyone acquiring any STI through the sort of activities you describe. I would have no concerns and see no scientific reason for testing of any sort.

I hope this perspective is helpful. EWH

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12 months ago

Thanks for the reply Doc EWH!

Could you also rule out the slight pain in my groin lymph node? I’ve noticed a little bit of swelling but it’s not that noticeable. I’m not sure if it’s going to keep getting bigger but it’s been really worrying me because I’ve done some research and it says it’s one of the first few signs of HIV and other STIs. Thanks a lot Doc EWH.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

12 months ago

Lymph node swelling is a non-specific finding. Most people have lymph nodes that can be felt if a person looks for them. That’s entirely normal. Repeated pressing on notes makes them tender.

I suspect that the research you referred to has to do with Google. If that is the case, I can tell you with great confidence that Google, when it comes to things such as lift note swelling is more often misleading than not.

Please don’t worry. EWH

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12 months ago

Greetings again Doctor EWH,

It’s been about 70 hours after my potential exposure. I wanted to ask you if diarrhea a symptom of any STI/HIV? I’ve been experiencing mild diarrhea for the past days but I’m not sure if it’s due to my anxiety (which has been through the roof lately) or an STI. Also I want to get tested just to be sure I don’t have anything, when should I be tested for certain STIs/HIV?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

12 months ago

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client’s questions. This will be my final response.

As I already said, the events you describe did not put you at risk for any STI. Diarrhea is not a symptom of STI either. Please don’t worry.

This thread will be closed shortly. EWH

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