[Question #12363] Std risk from Protected oral sex
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8 months ago
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Hello dear Dr HHH and DR Hook,
I would like to thank you for all the great service you provide to the community. I am doing my best to learn from your advice.
My question is regarding a recent exposure I had. It was with someone I did not know at all who claims to be very safe but has many partners. I did not see any signs for any STD symptoms.
Exposure was mutual protected oral sex on penis both receiving and giving (me cis male and them trans woman) and a few light kisses on the mouth (no sores on face). I did not touch anywhere on their body besides side of their legs (no genital touch). Condoms were intact and were applied full and no contact besides condom to mouth. We did not proceed with anything else.
1) taking into consideration above what are my STD risks? I understand hiv risk is absolutely zero in this scenario but I am worried about other STDs even without any skin to skin contact (as it was only on covered areas).
2)my anxiety and hypochondriac nature is getting to best of me maybe but even the smallest risk makes me fear any physical contact regardless of if they are sex workers or not. Any advice?
3) I am seeing someone else who I want to see exclusively but worried about this scenario. Should I try to hold off any sexual contact until I get tested?
I apologize if my question sounds hysterical and unreasonable. I have been getting help on my hypochondriac nature but my anxiety is making my sex life full of regret and panic and I would appreciate any advise on this topic.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
8 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum. Your questions today are essentially the same as the questions we discussed when you were on the Forum following a similar encounter 3 months ago. The answers are the same- this was a virtually no risk encounter. Oral sex is relatively low risk and use of condoms makes a very low risk encounter essentially no risk. Thus, in response to your specific questions:
1. See above.
2. Your fear is unfounded. As we discussed in the past, most encounters are low risk and that risk can be lowered further by asking partners about their past sexual activities just as you did. Most people can be trusted.
3. I see no reason to avoid unprotected sexual contact with your regular partner.
I cannot comment on your anxiety and mistrust but would suggest that discussion these concerns with a trained counselor (such interactions are confidential) may be helpful. EWH
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8 months ago
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Thank you very much Dr. Hook. That does make me feel better. Even if I find out something is virtually no risk, I find myself coming back to read it again in order to reassure myself multiple times a day after any event. Compared to my previous question this event was even less risky with the lack of anal or vaginal penetrative sex but I still get anxious and wonder if I should get tested. From what I understand you are saying:
1) this was basically a no risk event for any STIs and I should learn from it but forget about it and move on worry free.
2) there is no need for testing for any STD
On a related topic I had a question regarding what to do after; any specific tips regarding what to do or not to do after sex for cleaning? I always wondered if washing down the area could potentially push any pathogens on skin down to mucous membranes that could pose a risk?
Once again thank you for your valuable answers and understanding.
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8 months ago
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Hello Dr. Hook, just wondering if my understanding is correct and you are saying this event is rush free and I should move on and testing would not be necessary. Also curious on your take on my question regarding what to do after to be safe for cleaning and disposing condom and such.
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8 months ago
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I meant risk free sorry about the typo
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
8 months ago
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Please be patient. You are correct.
1) this was basically a no risk event for any STIs and I should learn from it but forget about it and move on worry free.
Correct
2) there is no need for testing for any STD
Correct
There is no proven benefit in terms of STI/HIV prevention to cleaning your genitals immediately following sex. This has been studied. Cleaning practices are a personal choice. In your cleaning practices, please do not be overly vigorous to the point that you cause irritation or inflammation.
Condoms can simply be removed with your hands and discarded. There is no danger and no risk in terms of infection if your fingers touch the outside of a condom following use.
You have one follow-up remaining. EWH
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8 months ago
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Thank you so much Dr. Hook, your assessment and advice is extremely helpful and I appreciate it. I do not have any further questions regarding this specific experience. I think as it has been 3 months it's worth to get a full panel done for purposes of regular testing. I did get tested after a month last time of and it was clear but for that to be final I guess it would be ideal to get tested now.
I'm curious what your suggestion would be for a regular testing panel frequency for someone sexually active yet not necessarily monogamous person? Every 3 months ? Every 6 months?
That aside thank you for responses and I really respect and value your contribution to educate us.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
8 months ago
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I really see little reason for further testing although testing is always a personal choice,. Should you test, I anticipate that the results will again show that you were not infected. At this time results of blood tests for HIV and syphilis will be conclusive as will urine or swab tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Persons who have 2-3 casual partners over the course of 6 months to a year benefit from screening for STIs at intervals of 6 months to a year for the reassurance negative tests provide. Obviously, if symptoms occur before that time, it is advisable to test as soon as possible after the appearance of signs of symptoms. When signs or symptoms are present, if they are due to an STI, tests will be positive.
This response completes this thread which will now be closed. you should not need to return to the Forum. EWH
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