[Question #12098] Oral sex risks

10 months ago

Hello, i've been acting incredibly immature and reckless lately and just received a blowjob with a condom on from a sex worker earlier today. How likely am I to get an STI? I asked her if she was clean and she sent me test results from 3 days ago showing negative results for HIV, Ghinorrea, Syphilis, and Chlamidia. Should I be concerned?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

10 months ago

Welcome back. I looked at your recent discussion with Dr. Hook and agree with all he said. I'm sorry you're here so soon and with an event that so obviously is zero risk. Oral sex is low risk even without condom protection. With a condom there is no chance of any STD at all. That would be the case even if your BJ partner had all the STDs that exist! You definitely should not "be concerned" and should not be tested for anything.

I suggest educating yourself about realistic STD/HIV risks. But if you do it online, please stick with professional or professionally moderated sites like this one; public health agencies (CDC.gov/std would be a great start), and the sponsor of this forum, www.ashashexualhealth.org; or academic medical centers. Definitely stay away from sites by and for people with STDs or at risk (like Reddit for example).

HHH, MD

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10 months ago

Gotchu. Apologies of i'm being a nuisance, i've been very reckless lately causing my anxiety to spiral. If the condom broke would I be at a higher risk (i'm not sure that it did)? Also when would be a good time to get tested in the short term to make sure I didn't transmit anything?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

10 months ago

You're only being a nuisance to yourself, not us. I understand you are anxious about all this, but that doesn't mean common sense can be ignored. There is no way your condom broke without you knowing it, and you would be at little or no risk if it did. As I said above, you should not be tested for anything. But if you insist despite all rational considerations, have a urine gonorrhea/chlamydia test any time 4-5 days or more after the event; and HIV and syphilis blood tests at 6 weeks. But really -- get ahold of yourself. You were no more at risk of infection than if you shook hands with this person. ---
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10 months ago

Ok, my for my last follow up, before this case is closed will be should I refrain from any sexual activity until i'm certain of no potential transmissions? Is herpes commonly passed through oral sex (in my case while wearing a condom)? Thanks for the reassurance and wisdom, i'll be sure to act more responsibly moving forward.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

10 months ago

My initial reply above said this: "With a condom there is no chance of any STD at all." I hope you didn't think I might have changed my mind in the last two days. Of course it included herpes.

I see no reason for you to "act more reasonably". And I also would advise not making promises to yourself that you are unlikely to be able to keep. Sex and the desire for sexual release is a normal, natural human emotion and even physical need. The vast majority of people are unable to keep self promises of no sexual contact. But if you desire sex with another person, this sort of contact is no risk and therefore fits nicely with acting more reasonably.

I hope the two discussions have been helpful to you. Best wishes.

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