[Question #2403] Do I have a STD from 15 seconds of oral sex

98 months ago

Hello
Five days ago I received 15 seconds of unprotected oral sex from a (23 yo) girl. She is known to have prior sexual partners. She had no signs of std. She had a blood and urine STI test a month prior at obgyn and was clean. After the unprotected oral exposure I did lift a heavy item approx. 250 pounds with another person’s help and have been working out with heavier weights and doing squats

Approx 4 hrs after the exposure to oral sex and about 3 hrs after lifting. A burning sensation began in the tip of my penis that has now lasted 4 days. The burning sensation seem to get worse whenever I sit and lean forward. I have lower back pain, upper groin pain that would extent down into my right testicles. My thighs are sore. I also have a burning sensation that extends from the base of my testicles to my anus. I also have slight pain up my rectum at times. Burns prior and after urinating. Sometimes feels better during urination

I went to my PCP 3 days after exposure. He did a physical exam and also did a dirty urine test that showed no white cells or anything abnormal in the test.. He said that I did have high numbers of ketones from not eating anything for over 12 hrs. He stated that he believed that I had a pinched nerve/ pulled muscle. He gave meds.
I have been stressing out since the encounter. I have no visible discharge

Should I need to worry about a sti?
Can a have protected sex with my usual sex partner who I did have protected sex with twice since the encounter?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

98 months ago

Welcome and thanks fo ryour qeustion.

A lot of school based health education programs, and well as some well meaning public health education efforts, have misled people about oral sex. Because there is any risk at all, they tend not to distinguish the STD risks of oral sex from those of vaginal or anal sex. But the fact is that oral sex is safe sex! It's not completely free of risk, but there is a far lower chance of any adverse health outcome than from vaginal or anal penetration: low risk for all STDs and virtually zero risk for many. The chance of infection from any single oral sex event is always low -- and given the very brief exposure you had, there was little or no risk for anything.

Further, no STD (indeed, no infection of any kind) can start to cause symptoms in a few hours. 24-36 hours is the minimum, and for just about all STDs it usually takes 2-10 days for symptoms to satrt. In addition, no STDs cause the sort of pain you describe. And your physician's exam, urinalysis, and professional opinion also are against any STD. Whether it's actually a pinched nerve or simple muscle strain, it seems likely your symptoms are being magnified by your anxieties over a sexual decision you regret.

To be clear, it is not possible to give 100% assurance you didn't acquire something from the brief oral exposure. However, it is very unlikely and your symptoms don't fit with any STD. If I were in your situation, I would not be tested for anything and would continue unprotected sex with my wife without worry. But if you need additional reassurance, you could have a urine gonorrhea/chlamydia test (valid any time) and, after 6 weeks, blood tests for HIV and syphilis. But really, I truly don't think you need them.

I hope this information is helpful. Best wishes and stay safe-- HHH, MD

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98 months ago

Thanks for the great information. I have not seen any discharge outside my penis. When I open the head of my penis i do see a liquid inside. Is that normal or something I need to worry about. Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

98 months ago

This probably is not abnormal, but you're the only one who can know. Moisture often would be visible in entirely healthy men. My guess is you're looking too closely and noticing something that has always been there. I would advise you to stop examining your genitals. Any symptoms of STD will be obvious without having to inspect yourself closely.
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