[Question #4705] Multiple Protected Encounters with Escorts over 12 months

80 months ago

Season’s Greetings Doctors,

I'm a 28 year British Indian Male from the UK. Over the past 12 months I've had approximately 15 to 20 encounters with Escorts here within the UK, always protected vaginal sex and occasional unprotected oral sex, providing and receiving.

I've received unprotected oral about 10 times and never had any symptoms of an STD (no sores, blisters or discharge that I'm aware of). I believe on two occasions I have provided cunnilingus, I've also received anilingus on two occasions. The majority of the time the women I've been participating with are generally verified commercial sex workers available by appointment.

The vast majority of the time I ask them if they are clean and test regularly, in which they inform they are. However, on one or two occasions I visited brothels within the city centre (normally after a night out intoxicated with friends) and I've forgot to ask their status but I've always used condoms for vaginal sex without any slippage to my knowledge. The backgrounds of these CSW have varied from Spanish, British, Eastern European and two of the ladies have been black (British and Dutch). My last exposure was 9 days ago, unprotected oral sex but protected vaginal sex and I also provided cunnilingus. I’ve since developed a cold in which I have a sore throat, slight temperature and blocked ears. I know most Commercial Sex Workers are clean but you can never be too sure.

My questions are

1) Do you believe I've placed myself at risk at any point for STDs and HIV?

2) Do you believe this sore throat, blocked ears and temperature may have something to do with an infection relating to these encounters? Such as an ARS?

3) I've made a decision to quit this behavior and seek counselling. Should I wait 4 or 6 weeks to have a STD test based on my encounters? (HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis)

My last STD Screening was in January 2018 where I tested negative for all STDs including HIV.

Thanks,

Jason

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

80 months ago

Welcome back to the forum. I'll answer these questions, but I also will point out that except for your first two threads a year and a half ago (about newly diagnosed chlamydia in you and your partner), you have asked very similar questions every time. The particular exposures were new, but the types of exposure were pretty much the same every time, and the answers to these questions should be pretty clear from the previous discussions, so my replies are brief.

1. I have no way to judge the actual risks from these particular partners. There is always at least small risk from such exposures, regardless of regular condom use.

2. No STD causes symptoms like these. ARS doesn't cause nasal congestion or ear blockage. Sounds like you have a cold, nothing more.

3. Were you to continue your current sexual lifestyle, I would recommend regular testing, perhaps once a year., for gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and syphilis. If indeed you're going to forego the frequent commercial sex, a urine gonorrhea/chlamydia test will be reliable any time more than 4-5 days after the last exposure. For syphilis and HIV blood tests, 6 weeks.

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

HHH, MD

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80 months ago

Thank you and I apologise if my previous question sounds repetitive.

The behaviour and anxiety of mine has grown increasingly out of control which I am seeking help for.

I suppose alot of this behaviour triggers from my previous situation with my partner (chlamydia situation) anyways..

I've developed a real worry about STD's in particular HIV, despite being as careful as possible.

Only one more question really, do you believe there's a small risk for HIV despite regular condom use?

All the best.

Jason.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

80 months ago

Yes, of coure there is some risk of HIV despite regular condom use. Some people with clear histories that condoms never broke and were always properly used sometimes show up, on rare occations, with HIV. Whether they are being untruthful or just don't recall a condom failure isn't known. But anyone with non-monogamous sexual encounters should be tested from time to time. It's just common sense. You can expect negative results, but why would you want to take the chance? Better safe than sorry!

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