[Question #12704] Possible Oral STI/STD

6 months ago

On Wednesday, Feb 12th I believe I was possibly exposed to a male with an STD/STI based on their past. I performed unprotected oral sex on them (Male to male). One week later, I’ve had a mucus throat, and I have a few small white bumps on the back of my throat (never paid attention to those prior if they were there before the incident) this is my first male on male expose and I’ve never had an STD/STI prior, should I have any fear, I’m contemplating getting tested in two weeks, or should I do that asap?

I have decided to remain abstinent until I get results, I do not want to get my current partner infected. Do I have anything to worry about?

6 months ago

I also wanted to ask what the likelihood of contracting HPV from this one time interactions would be?

I have pretty bad anxiety so I just wanted to cross things off that it couldn’t be.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

6 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to provide several comments.

That your partner has had STIs in the past only slightly increases the risk that he had an STI and it may indicate that he gets checked regularly which, if anything would lower risk. Most people, even those who have had STIs in the past, do not have STIs. Further, even in those instances when a partner has an STI, most single exposures do not lead to infection. This is particularly true when the throat is the site of exposure.

The findings you describe in your throat are not suggestive of an STI. In fact, most oral STIs are asymptomatic.

If you choose to test, the most likely infection would be oral gonorrhea for which you can test now using a throat swab sent for gonorrhea testing ( you can test for gonorrhea any time more than 3-4 days after an exposure and anticipate reliable results).

Your risk for HPV is low. That said, most sexually active persons (over 80%) have HPV and suffer no consequences. The single best thing that you can do to avoid HPV is to get the HPV vaccine which is highly effective and quite safe.

I hope this information is helpful. If anything is unclear, you have up to 2 follow-ups. EWH

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6 months ago

Thank you for your response. I noticed I may have some swollen lymph nodes, and I took a picture of my throat and can observe three small red and white bulges on the back of my throat(not sure if they’re warts). Based on the information previously provided, can this just be strep or the result of a cold?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

6 months ago

The finings you describe may be strep or some other problem. They are NOT warts. Warts typically take 2-3 months to become visible and most pharyngeal HPV infections are due to HPV 16 and are not visible.

You have one follow-up remaining. EWH

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6 months ago

I noticed there were some small red lesions on the back of my throat and a bit more swelling on my lymph nodes this morning when I woke . Does this still confirm the possibilities as before?

Am I still able/safe to kiss my partner, or should I wait to be tested as I do not want to give them anything?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

6 months ago

This is a repetitive question. No change in my assessment or advice.

This thread is now complete. EWH

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