[Question #4361] Follow up Question to #4184 - Test Results

82 months ago

Hello Dr. Handsfield,

You gave me the following advice regarding question # 4184:

STDs are rarely if ever transmitted through hand-genital contact, even when genital fluids are used for lubrication. True for all STDs, not just HIV and syphilis. While nobody can make a 100% guarantee you cannot infect your wife, but I would put the chance at well under one in many million. If somehow I were in your situation, I would not be tested and would continue unprotected sex with my wife without worry.

For peace of mind and to feel good about having unprotected sex with my wife (in the future) I got tested at the local clinic.

25 Day results:

Finger/Blood Test

Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo test – Negative

Trinity Biotech Rapid Syphilis test – Negative

Urine Tests

Chlamydia – Negative

Gonorrhea – Negative

46 Day results:

Finger/Blood Test

Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo test – Negative

Trinity Biotech Rapid Syphilis test – Negative

Question #1

Are the HIV and Syphilis tests conclusive at 46 days?

Question #2

Are the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests conclusive at 25 days?

Question #3

Do I need any additional testing from the results listed above?

Question#4

Can I move on from this event with a normal sex life with my wife.

There is no doubt in my mind that my behavior is influenced by pornography, for which I and working on to eliminate (thank you for the advice regarding a professional).

I appreciate the advice you have given in the past and hope to make this the last time I ask for your counsel.

Thank you!!!!!!!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

82 months ago

Welcome back to the forum, but I'm sorry you found it necessary. In your 3 previous threads, Dr. Hook and I went into some detail about the lack of STD/HIV risk from any and all environmental and sexual exposures that do not involve penile-vaginal or penile-anal penetration.

1,2) Yes, all these results are conclusive.

3) Since there was no need for testing to begin with, there is no need for still more testing!

4) You should not have stopped having sex with your wife on account of these events and you certainly can safely resume unprotected sex with her at this time.

Because you were not at risk, If any of your tests had been positive, it would have been necessary to look for exposures other than the ones you described. Assuming no other extramarital exposures, it would imply you were infected by your wife, so it would have been necessary for her to be tested -- and you would have had to tell her the reasons for that. False positive results occur sometimes, and I assume you would not want to face these issues in event of a positive result. I hope you will keep this in mind before you get tested in the future for STDs for which you were not at risk!

This should be your last question on this forum about risks from sex other than unprotected vaginal or anal sex, or about STD testing following such events. Thanks for your understanding. But I do hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

---