[Question #12146] Oral risk

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9 months ago
Hi Dr

I received oral from a sex worker 3 weeks ago. I also received oral sex the same week from a man I know.

I have no symptoms, no pain when urinating and no discharge after the encounters. I had unprotected sex with my partner around 17 days after the last encounter and 1.5 days later she got symptoms of discomfort urinating. She has a history of bladder issues and has had UTIs before.

My question is what are the risks of her having gonorrhea or something else
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9 months ago
Sorry forgot mention both instances were unprotected 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
9 months ago
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your confidence in our services.

Oral sex is quite low risk for all STDs -- not entirely risk free, but a lot lower than unprotected vaginal or anal sex. At any point in time, the large majority if sexually active persons -- including sex workers and sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) -- have no oral STIs. And in the 40+ years of the world wide HIV/AIDS epidemic, there have been few if any scientifically confirmed cases of HIV transmitted oral to penis. The only STD likely from oral sex that also could cause UTI-like symptoms in your partner is gonorrhea. But if you have not had obvious gonorrhea symptoms (pus from your penis, painful urination) it is very unlikely you have it. Contrary to lots of misinformation online, chlamydia almost never is a risk from oral sex. 

As suggested above, gonorrhea can cause UTI-like symptoms in women, but still almost all women with such symptoms have UTI. And sex itself can trigger UTIs in women. Give your partner's UTI history and your low risk, it is far more likely she has another UTI than gonorrhea or other STD.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD
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9 months ago
Thanks Dr Hansfield.

So if I understand correctly if I was infected with say gonorrhea I would more likely than not show some symptoms and the chances of having it and not showing any symptoms is very low but not impossible
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9 months ago
Also would you recommend getting tested
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
9 months ago
If you had acquired gonorrhea, there's 99% probability you would have obvious symptoms within 5 days of exposure. I would not advise testing, but of course you are free to do that if you'd like. If somehow I were in your situation, I would not.---
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9 months ago
Thanks a million 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
9 months ago
You're welcome; I'm glad to have helped. Best wishes and stay safe.---