At any rate, now I am concerned about STI and resuming sexual activity with partner. Do I need to be tested? Do I need protection? I believe this was a near zero risk event and any risk from lubricated manual stimulation is theoretical. Hate the idea of passing on herpes or syphilis tho. No HIV risk?

Hand-genital contact -- i.e. fingering, mastubation of other persons, etc -- doesn't transmit any STI, or so rarely the theoretical risk can be ignored. Therefore I agree exactly with your own statement ("...this was a new zero risk event and any risk from lubricated manual stimulation is theoretical.") If somehow I were in your situation, I would not be tested for anything and would continue unprotected sex with my wife with no worry about infecting her.

Of course you're free to arrange for testing anyway, if you're otherwise going to worry and would gain further reassurance from negative test results, like for syphilis. But even in that circumstance, I would advise against herpes testing. The available tests are not sufficiently accurate -- and even reasonably reliable testing has to be delayed 3-4 months.

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

One clarifying question. If there were brief genital to genital contact (frottage) without the presence of visible lesions, then this carries the same risk profile has hand to genital? the contact was exceedingly brief so I assume this does not change your initial assessment.

Lastly, I did notice after the fact I had an inter-oral mouth ulcer (likely from too aggressive brushing) if I touched genitals then not thinking touched my mouth with that hand, does the ulcer raise any risk? I assume I am just being hyper vigilant post an experience I feel odd about. This will be my final line of questions. Thank you for your time