[Question #13012] #12954 follow up, Brief Unprotected Oral and HPV
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3 months ago
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Hello! Sorry for being back. My fears were successfully mitigated as a result of my last question, however a new set of anxietys have arisen.
To recap, 2 months ago I (male 29 white) received oral sex from a female (mid 50’s? Salvadorian) for no more than 10 seconds. I also fingered her (non penetrative) briefly during this encounter. Having tested for everything common from this, I’m sure I’m free from Gonorrhea lol syphillis and hiv, however, was I at any risk of HPV from this encounter? I know most people will have it and it’s not often passed via oral, but with our ages and the brevity of contact, am I at any risk whatsoever? I did have a couple bumps on my ring finger that I picked off before I could readily inspect them. Is fingering a risk for HPV? For the sake of full transparency about my conserns, this was a step outside of my marriage and neither of us have any penetrative sexual history outside of it. Thanks again for this incredible resource
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
3 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry you felt the need. On This occasion I happened to pick up your follow-up questions and will be responding. To prepare to do so, I reviewed your interactions with Dr. Handsfield about 2 weeks ago. I agree with all that he said. The interaction you describe was virtually no risk for STIs and no something to be concerned about. That assurance extends to concerns about HPV. Oral HPV infections are far less common than genital infections and are not readily transmitted through oral sex, particularly an exposure as brief as the one you describe. HPV is also no acquired through masturbation of partners and the strains of HPV that infect the genitals are not the same as those that infected the hands and fingers. Finally, had you acquired HPV (I am confident you did not), it would have taken considerably longer than a few weeks for warts to appear- typically more than 2 months. The "bumps" you have noted are unrelated to the events you described.
I find myself wondering is you have been on the internet searching for possible STIs you might have acquired through your virtually no risk encounter- if you have been please stop. Much of what is found there is alarmist and often incorrect.
---I hope this information is helpful. It's time for you to move forward and stop worrying. EWH
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3 months ago
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Thank you guys once again for the level headed reassurance.
Just a couple quick follow ups
I’ve had Fordyce spots on the base and underside of my penis since my teenage years, but in the past month, what appears to be one (but my fear is that is isn’t) growing on the side of my penis, away from all the others and is slightly larger. Is this worthy of concern? After I noticed it, a month after exposure, I immediately got tested for HSV2 and syphillis with both being (obviously) negative.
Also, if I were to test for HPV, What is the appropriate window after exposure to do so? Apologies for my lack of knowledge here, trying to stay off google and Reddit.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
3 months ago
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I would not worry about perceived changes in Fordyce spots. I would guess that the "change" you noted is more a reflection of closer anxiety-driven scrutiny than anything else.
Testing for HPV is not recommended in men. There are no specifically recommended screening methods. Should you decide to test, I would certainly not do so for at least a month after your encounter. Rhetorically, I would also ask what you would do if the test were positive- how would you know if this were a new infection of a previous, more long standing infection? I think you are going down an anxiety-driven rabbit hole
One follow-up remaining, after which we will not entertain further questions related to this encounter. EWH
EWH
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3 months ago
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Just a few more details for my final questions.
I have never had vaginal or anal sex with anyone besides my long term partner. I am unsure of mine or my partners HPV vaccination status. Apart from my long term partner I have 8-10 encounters involving only oral sex with only 2 of these encounters taking place in the last 5 years. My long term partner has no sexual history apart from me.
1. What are the chances of having caught HPV from one of these encounters? (Some involve men)
2. Even if I did catch it, would the infection be cleared and able to be detected on a test now?
3. If I did catch it, would that prevent future infections?
4. Does this new information change your mind in regards to if I should get tested?
5. What’s the most accurate statistic on what percentage of cases are symptomatic?
Thanks again. Not sure if self awareness of my insanity on this matter makes it better or worse, but I appreciate you all for dealing with it.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
3 months ago
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Final answers
You should know your vaccination status.
1. What are the chances of having caught HPV from one of these encounters? (Some involve men)
See my replies above. Close to zero
2. Even if I did catch it, would the infection be cleared and able to be detected on a test now?
Most HPV infections clear without treatment in the 6 months to 2 years following detection
3. If I did catch it, would that prevent future infections?
Infections offers immunity which is less protective than vaccination. Infection offers partial resistance to future infection by the same HPV type
4. Does this new information change your mind in regards to if I should get tested?
No. As I told you- HPV testing is NOT recommended for men
5. What’s the most accurate statistic on what percentage of cases are symptomatic?
Most visible genital warts are due to HPV types 6 or 11. These as well as other HPV infections may be present in the absence of visible changes.
This concludes this thread. Please do not return. Further anxiety driven, "what if" questions may be deleted without a response. EWH
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