[Question #13311] STI from oral sex

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15 days ago
Good morning -  I hope you are well. 3 days ago I engaged in unprotected oral sex with a man. I performed brief fellatio on him and then he did the same to me. Neither of us ejaculated in the other’s mouth. Time with penis in mouth less than 20 seconds. I understand my risk is low, but is 3 days long enough for urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhea? Do I need a throat culture? 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 days ago
Welcome to our Forum.  Thanks for your questions.  Your risk of infection is low.  Three days following your encounter a throat swab tested using any standard NAAT test would detect gonorrhea or chlamydia if present.  A throat culture is not needed and would be less sensitive than a NAAT test.  If you are going to get tested, since you also received oral sex, to thorough I’d get a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia as well.

I hope this information is helpful.  EWH
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15 days ago
understood. would 3 days post exposure be sufficient for accurate urine test as well. Again, I believe my risk is extremely low, but I feel compelled to test. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 days ago
As I said earlier, testing at three days will provide a reliable answer.  This is true for infection at any site.  EWH---
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15 days ago
Thank you. I suppose it doesn't matter that the exposure was at 3pm on Tuesday and the test was 10am on Friday not "quite" 3 days, but that seems like splitting hairs. I appreciate your time and will consider this discussion closed
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 days ago
Correct. I’m glad I could help.  EWH---