[Question #11902] STD/STI infection?

11 months ago

While overseas, I had a massage and before ending, she briefly grabbed and began to stroke my penis with oil/lube. I stopped her after a minute and went to wash up and rinse off. I noticed a small shiny blemish near the gland that I do not remember seeing 4 days later. Developed a sore throat and congestion prior to returning home that was verified by urgent care doctor and scope for sinus infection. Urgent care and derma stated possible fungal infection and prescribed betamethasone dipropionate clotrimazole cream. After starting cream, I noticed an itching/burning feeling and red scrotum. After reducing cream to small local spot, burning feeling and itch has slowed down upon reducing cream use and blemish has become lighter. No sores noticed, but scrotum still appears red with no noticable pain. I also suffer from diagnosed anxiety and seem to get symptoms when I think about this. Moving also stops burning or itching feeling. What are the odds of me contracting anything? I plan to do a STD panel at 4 weeks of exposure.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

11 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. The activities you describe did not put you at risk for STI, including HIV. Receipt of masturbation does not put you at risk for STI of any sort and oils and lubricants used during masturbation do not carry infectious organisms.

Further, your URI/sore throat symptoms are not those of any STI, including HIV. Such infections are common in travelers these days, particularly with rising COVID rates and crowded planes and airports.

The discoloration you describe, as well as your scrotal redness are more suggestive of a non-STI fungal infection than anything else.

My advice to you is to not worry. I see no medical reason for testing however, given the tendency towards anxiety you acknowledge, I'll note that a number of our clients choose to test for the reassurance that a negative test provides,. If you find yourself in this category, I would suggest a urine test for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonas. If you test, I am confident the test will be negative. EWH

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11 months ago

Thank you for your response. Yes, the sore throat lasted for around 6 to 8 hours after waking up in 60f room. The congestion came after getting on the plane and after a week of amoxicillin and decongestions, the cough and other symptoms have gone away. What is the best time to test for all STDs that the results shouldn't change a few months later? is 4 weeks enough or should I plan to do a 2nd test around 3 months for verification? Just to add on, I did get a hemorrhoid from flying 30 hours and noticed redness that goes from the rectal area all the way to the scrotum. Could the itchiness and burning be from a fungal infection that has spread like that to the scrotum and give those symptoms? Even though the anal area isnt itchy or burning? I apologize for being all over, just trying to verify and calm my anxiety down on the what ifs in my head and follow up with my doctor.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

11 months ago

If your testing for the STIs I mentioned above, a urine test is conclusive any time more than 3-4 days after an encounter. If you whish to test for far less common STIs like syphilis and HIV, testing at 6 weeks will provide conclusive results. There is no need to test after that. The idea that follow-up testing is out of date internet misinformation.

As I said above, the itching and burning are suggestive of a fungal infection. The inflammation associated with an inflamed hemorrhoids could do something similar but fungal infection/jock itch would be my 1rst bet.

Please try not to worry about STIs. EWH

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11 months ago

Thank you, Followed up with the derma because last night I had a burning/icy hot and tingle sensation around the thighs and scrotum after using a pillow to sit on, as well as pain around the rectal area. She prescribed a anti parasitic oral and a cream to help with red scrotum inflammation and around the rectal area. She did say the area from the scrotum to the rectal area is red and inflamed and to follow up in 4 weeks.

I know this is my last reply, but is there anything I should just be on the look out going forward the next few weeks? symptoms wise? today marks the 12th day since last exposure. No sores or anything new besides what was discussed here.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

11 months ago

Final response. As I’ve said before, I really see no reason to worry about an STI. in the treatments your dermatologist has initiated are working in the next few days, I’d follow up sooner than at 4 months.

Take care. There is no reason to worry about STI. EWH

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