[Question #13635] Concern about oral exposure
 |
1 days ago
|
Dear Sirs - thank you for your excellent service. I have a concern that I would please like some advice about please.
I am a hetrosexual man currently living in the UK and 2 months ago, had an encounter with an escort. It was the first time I had any sexual contact with anyone in the last nine months. All other encounters were during relationships where I used protection. I tell you this because I would like you to assume that this episode is the only risk episode.
During the encounter we both performed oral sex on each other. Both encounters lasted for about 5 mins each. At the time, I was recovering from the flu so my immune system was a little compromised. Also, I had an ulcer in my mouth from being run-down. This is what makes my situation a little different from the others I have seen on your website, and the reason for this email.
I have suffered no symptoms at all since the encounter.
I am still currently single but at some point I wish to be in a relationship and don’t want to have any sexual health issues going forward.
My question is - statistically, what are the chances that I have any STI’s at all, even if the escort did have an STI. By the way, she says she is clean and is regularly tested.
Secondly, do you think I should have a complete blood screen to know my position for certain or is that an overreaction?
Many thanks for your advice.
 |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 days ago
|
Welcome to our forum. Thank you for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment and provide some information. Giving and receiving unprotected oral sex to a partner of the opposite sex is amongst the lowest risk sorts of sexual exposure in terms of risk for acquiring STI’s. As a generalization, most people do not have STI‘s, and when partners do have STI‘s, most single exposures do not result in acquisition of infection. The major STI acquired through performing or receiving oral sex on an infected partner is gonorrhea. When gonorrhea occurs at the penis the infection is symptomatic With an obvious penile discharge in over 90% of persons to get infected. Oral infections are often asymptomatic.
Other STI’s are very, very uncommon.
The fact that you have not developed symptoms in the two months since your exposure makes it unlikely that you were infected. The only way to be entirely sure of that is to be tested however. If you choose to test a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia, as well as a throat swab for the same two bacteria is the most important test. There is no known risk for acquisition of HIV from receipt of oral sex and the risk of acquiring HIV from performing oral sex on an infected partner is close to zero.
At this time, my advice to you is to not worry however, if you choose to test, the most important tests are the test for gonorrhea and chlamydia that I mentioned above. Often when testing for STI is performed. Blood tests for syphilis and HIV are performed at the same time. If you choose to have these tests, I anticipate that what they will be negative
I hope this information is helpful. If any part of my response is unclear, please don’t hesitate to use. You’re up to do follow ups for clarification. EWH.
--- |
21 hours ago
|
Thank you for your quick response.
My only unanswered questions would be
1. Are transmission rates in the UK different from the US? Do you have any knowledge about rates in the UK? Would your advice be different given the location of the exposure.
2. Is the risk of infection increased by the fact that I was recovering from a virus which may have compromised my immune system at the time of exposure?
|
Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 hours ago
|
Transmission and acquisition rates are the same worldwide.
That you were recovering from a recent viral infection should not increase your tiny chances of infection. Please don’t worry. EWH
---