[Question #3013] Worried again.

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93 months ago
Hi Doctor. 

I recently broke up with my partner of 2 and half years. As things haven't been easy these last few weeks I made a lapse in judgement and visited a verified escort/sex worker here in the UK, city centre based. I engaged in protected oral and vaginal sex with her. I also performed unprotected oral sex on her. 

Having researched your work regarding protected sex, I am aware the above activity carries little to no risk for STD's including HIV.

However my main concern is that I did perform "rimming" on her. I also injected my finger into her anus during this process. 

She claimed she is tested. She also works for a verified website and resides within Central London. The lady was of Brazilian background but claimed to be living in the UK for over 10 years. She was quite particular and informed me she doesn't perform oral without protection, or no kissing. She also looked very healthy. 

My questions are 

1) Have I put myself at risk after performing this act of "rimming" on her?

2) Should I get tested for Syphillis? Hep A? Other STD's?

3) Are the chances high I have contracted something from this episode? 

Thank you in advance. 

Jason. 


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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
93 months ago
Welcome back to the forum. Thanks for your questions. Directly to them.

1,3) Analingus (oral-anal contact) probably carries little risk for STDs. There are no scientific data on this, but few if any people appear to acquire any STD from performing analingus. (There also appear to be few if any anal infections from the practice.) The main STD risks probably are for HPV and herpes, but even these appear to be low. The main infection risks from the practice are not STDs but virtually all intestinal infections, from viral gastroenteritis (probably the most common infectious outcome) or, depending on local epidemiology, things like salmonella, shigella, campylobcter, parasitic infections (e.g. amebiasis), and many more; and hepatitis A. HOWEVER, the overall chance you caught anything at all is statistically low, especially if your partner was not having GI symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; and if you don't develop any symptoms in the 1-2 weeks after exposure.

2) I would not recommend any testing for these or any other STDs, assuming no symptoms. However, if you would like the reassurance of negative test results, you could have a throat swab for gonorrhea and, after a few weeks, a syphilis blood test. I definitely recommend against any other testing in the absence of symptoms.

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

HHH, MD

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93 months ago
Thank you for you prompt response Doctor. 

I have made contact with the worker due to anxiety and she stated she has no issues and is clean for STD's.

I only have a few more questions.

1) Should I simply test for reassurance purposes rather than risk? This encounter happened today, as of yet I do not feel sick or anything. 

2) If I do not become sick as you describe could I consider myself ok? And free from all possible issues.

3) Is there a high chance of contracting Syphillis or Hepetitis from this?

4) Would you happen to have any odds based upon your experience in this field?

Thank you again.


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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
93 months ago
You're mostly asking questions already answered. I haven't changed my mind! And your partner's belief she doesn't have a transmissible STD provides still more reassurance and makes my previous zero-to-low risk esimate even lower.

1) As above, from a medical or risk perspective, I do not recommend any testing. You are free to do so if you think the negative results will provide additional reassurance. If you do so, wait 3-4 days to have a throat swab for gonorrhea (probably will require a physician or clinic visit, not readily available from many online services); and a blood test for syphilis and HIV at 6 weeks. Don't be tested for anything else:  for all other tests, the chance of false positive or otherwise misleading results is much higher than the possibility you were infected.

2) Yes, read previous reply.

3) No, read previous reply.

4) Under one chance in thousands, maybe millions; varies between different infections, but all low enough that you shouldn't be worried.

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93 months ago
Thank you again Doctor. 

Sorry for the repeated questions, my anxiety was taking over. 

I maybe meeting up with my ex partner this weekend, although I have no plans for sex I anticipate this may happen. 

My final question do you think I would be ok and safe to engage in unprotected oral and vaginal sex with her based upon my recent exposure? 

Regards, 

Jason.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
93 months ago
Yes, of course. No guarantees of course, but I’ve given you my best judgment why you are unlikely to have acquired any STD, and you cannot transmit something you don’t have.

That completes two follow up comments and replies and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful.
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