[Question #5415] Cuts on penis
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23 months ago
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I recently (about an hour ago) had sex with an escort. Not the expensive appointment type but online meet up type... I wore a condom for oral and for penetration. I was only planning on covered oral but penetration vaginal happened. My issue is I have some slight cuts on my penis from scratching it from itching a few weeks ago. It has not healed up all the way. I made sure to keep my hand on base of my penis so the skin was covered and the condom did not roll up or anything. The cuts should have been covered but my question is that if they were exposed in any way and vaginal fluid got on them is that a risk for HIV? Do you recommend PEP?
Also if you see my earlier question from this month. I was worried i contracted herpes. My penis was itching very badly but i had no lesions or sores. It was not herpes (according to a clinic and my doctor) from a visual inspection. But I do have a herpes question, if it was herpes how long do the sores/lesions tend to last and crust over or heal? Just a question for my personal knowledge. Because I am assuming it would have been obvious by now either or right? Thank you.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
23 months ago
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In some if not all your previous threads, you have acknowledged "overthinking" your worries about HIV. This is more of the same. I see no significant risk of HIV from this event and absolutely would not recommend PEP. That your penis might have had minor healing scratches or "cuts" does not elevate risk of HIV if exposed; and it is statistically unlikekly your partner had HIV (well under 1% chance); and you used a condom. It doesn't matter if the "cuts" might have been slightly exposed to her vaginal fluids.
Yes, if you had acquired herpes, it would be obvious by now.
I closed one of your earlier threads with the following statement:
Please do not ask another question along these lines. Repetative anxiety driven questions are not permitted and a new one would risk being deleted with little or no reply. We are not inclined to keep repeating the same advice in different words, and there is no new information you can possible think of that would change our opinions or advice; and such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main goals.
This still applies. In addition, we do not like collecting the posting fees for questions that are anxiety driven and have obvious answers. Let's put a hold on any and all new questions from you until and unless you have a real, serious exposure risk -- unlike any reported so far -- or symptoms more typical of STDs. This should not be a site for questions about every potential new sexual exposure you have. Thanks for your understanding.
HHH, MD
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23 months ago
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Thank you Dr. I'm sorry for my "anxiety driven" questions. I respect your knowledge and advice. I am just unsure of this. I have not asked a question like this before. This is a completely new exposure.
I understand that if my urethra was exposed that would be a sure way to get infected. Are you saying that vaginal fluid entering a cut on my penis is not a way to get infected? I am not freaking out or anything like with my past questions. I just want an experts opinion. This will be the last question I ask about this exposure. I honestly am done with this double life. Too many regrets and guilt.
Thank you Dr. Handsfield
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
23 months ago
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The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice. In theory, a fresh cut -- within an hour and/or still bleeding -- could be an entry point for an STD. However, within 1-2 hours and certainly after several days, the healing process produces barriers that prevent transmission. In 40+ years in the STD business, I have never seen anyone who seemed to have caught any STD in the manner you are worried about.
Thanks for the thanks. And I agree you have not asked exactly this question. However, every question has been about exposures or events that everybody knows, and common sense would suggest, carry little or no risk. Just scan any 10-15 theads at random and you should find all sorts of questions and replies that indicate truly risky vs non-risky behaviors. Thanks again for your understanding.
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23 months ago
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Okay so here is where I am at. I am thinking of your advice that you've given me and that I have read throughout the forum.
If I had unprotected insertive vaginal sex my chances are 1 in 2500 to get infected. The fact that I wore a condom and it did not break lower the chances incredibly. Coupled with the fact that there is a low chance that she actually has HIV and that I was careful (keeping my hands between us) means that I should not worry about this exposure. Thank you. This is what I will tell myself.
Another question back to my earlier herpes worry. When I spoke to my primary care physician he told me that the itching might be due to fungus due to diabetes. Is this something that you have heard of? I still have itching and tried creams. The clinic would not test for herpes because of a lack of sores and my Dr. didn't seem too worried about it. Should I also just let it go?
Thank you for all your help and knowledge. Have a great holiday weekend. Hopefully I never have to use this service.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
23 months ago
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That advice about your penile symptoms makes sense to me. As for herpes, definitely let it go. Herpes simply does not behave at all like this. As for HIV, you cannot simply look at lists of herpes symptoms and assume that they apply to you. It's the pattern of symptoms that matters, not the individual ones. Herpes lesions may itch, but generalized itching of the genitals or anywhere else never is caused by herpes.
Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped.
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