I'm recently becoming worried about something I did a few years ago.  When I was drunk and staying at a friend's house I went to bed in a spare room and saw some panties hanging up to dry.  I took them and masturbated with them... I don't think I came near them but I'm worried that I could have possibly infected one of the girls who lived there with an STD through my pre cum or even some cum that may have been on my hands.  I have read that some studies have shown some STDs to last longer than expected on some fomites.  Do you think it is possible that an STD I may have had could have caused infection in the wearer by perhaps the urethra rubbing against the panties.  My biggest concern is Clamydia or Gonorrhea or any of the other dangerous infections.

Many thanks for your expert opinion.

No worries at all. STDs are not transmitted by clothing, including underwear. Similarly, never by contaminated towels, toilet seats, bed linens, etc. Even if the owner of the panties had an STD, by the time any fluids had dried, any STD germs would be dead or at least non-transmissible. It is true that STD bacteria and viruses can be found on fomites, even when dried. But mostly that's just DNA, which doesn't mean the germs are still alive and transmissible. There has never been a known (or to my knowledge, even suspected) case of any STD being transmitted through clothing.

If you have been sexually active including non-monogamous partnerships, and have never been tested for STDs, you might consider doing that for reassurance. But not because of the masturbation event with the panties.

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

HHH, MD

I am worrying a lot recently about this and I keep thinking of worst case scenarios.

Because of my panicking I have been reading articles online about transmission of STDs and I read it may be possible for a pre-pubescent girl to get an STD through clothing.

The girls did not have children but I'm worried that maybe a niece could have been staying and I touched maybe a child's underwear by accident.  I know this is unlikely but it was a long time ago and I was drunk and it was dark.  I'm terrified there may be a little girl out there with untreated clamydia or gonorrhoea or something else that ends up getting really sick and potentially dying.

Any help you can give will be much appreciated.

Thank you so much again

this is the paper that has really scared me!

Thank you for any help.

Much appreciated.

Thank you so much again. A huge help

Let this go. If you cannot, professional counseling may be in order. Your concerns on this are over the top.

I do hope the discussion has been helpful.