[Question #5742] Should I be concerned?

73 months ago

I had a similar issue about 7 months ago. Everything came back clean, luckily. So I was in a strip club recently. No condom so she would not allow any penetration. My penis was out as was her vaginal as she did some grinding, dancing, etc but never any penetration as we had no protection. I fingered her some but did not have her vagina come in contact with my mouth. Basically there was probably some vaginal fluid in and around my lap and penis, likely some of my pre-cum present as well. No ejaculation occurred. Should I be worried about getting tested? If so, for what? Please advise as I am very concerned.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

73 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. I'll be taking your new questions. The events that you describe are no risk for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU and trichomonas and very, very low risk for herpes or syphilis. HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU and trichomoniasis are sexually transmitted ONLY through penetrative sexual activity. No penetration, no risk and no need for testing. That you likely got some of her genital secretions on your penis did not put you at risk for these STIs.

As for syphilis and herpes, you risk is tiny. Syphilis is rare in women and typically transmitted through penetrative sex. As for herpes, the risk of getting herpes, IF she had herpes (you do not know she did and most women, even most strippers, do not) is less than 1 infection per more than 1000 encounters of the sort you describe.

I urge you not to worry. Please do not test for herpes- it is a waste of time and your risk for a falsely positive blood test is higher than your risk for infection. Further, both syphilis and herpes would need to be tested for using blood tests which would not provide conclusive results until at least 4-6 weeks after your exposure.

I hope this information is helpful. Please don't worry. EWH

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73 months ago

Ok. Again she was very cautious since I did not have protection, there might have been a slip here or there, was quickly stopped by her, I cannot remember 1 - I do remember 85% of the night, but some parts are hazy, say there was any brief penetration. Does that change the answer at all?

Thanks!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

73 months ago

I think you are probably over worrying. I f there had been penetration, you would have remembered it. No penetration, no risk. with penetration, there is a slight risk however given the details of the events you describe, it is clear that she too was avoiding penetration, indicating to me that she did not want to catch anything from you. I really would not worry

For information purposes only, the AVERAGE risk for acquisition of HIV from unprotected, vaginal sex with an HIV infected person is one infection per more than 1200 exposures. (i.e. less than1/10th of 1%0

EWH

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