[Question #6934] STI from protected encountered
62 months ago
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Hi, thank you for what you all do on this site, it is extremely helpful!
During a weeklong trip to Portland OR about 3 months ago, I met with a couple of appointment based CSWs. All acts involved protected oral and vaginal sex, condoms were used throughout the acts without visible breakage. Each lasted about 20 mins. After returning home, I continued unprotected sex with my wife. About 3 weeks post exposure, my wife complained about vaginal bleeding after sex and an abnormal period cycle. Her period has been very consistent in the past. More recently, she mentioned about some abnormal vaginal discharge of brown/yellowish color. Based on my reading, these are all common symptoms of STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trich, due to vaginal inflammation. For the entire time, I experienced no obvious symptoms of any kind for these STIs. Needless to say, I'm extremely worried and regretful that I may have acquired something and passed onto her. As far as I know, both of us have been free from any STD before these exposures. Here are my questions:
(1) How likely her symptoms are due to chlamydia, gonorrhea or trich infection?
(2) What other STDs can cause these symptoms? Either from skin-to-skin or otherwise.
(3) What are the chances of HIV infection from these exposures?
(4) Do you recommend testing for both my wife and myself based on these observations?
(5) Are there concerns with normal interaction with kids at home if these were indeed STDs?
Thanks!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
62 months ago
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62 months ago
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Thank you so much for the thorough reply doctor! I have not heard about M. Genitalilum before and just did a brief research, and if I understood correctly, sounds like this is something should have been protected by condom as the bacteria will need to enter through my urethra, and not through skin-to-skin.
From what I have on this forum, I did feel my exposure risk was relatively low, but the fact that these symptoms still showed up for my wife is changing how I see these risks and perhaps I was not as safe as I thought. It really worries and scares me as it seems that condom may not be as effective even if it was used throughout and didn't break. I’m curious if it is possible that these bacteria or virus could have been transmitted to my penis while the CSW was putting on the condom or can it be that her vaginal fluid has entered the condom through the opening at the bottom of my penis during intercourse? If that was the case, what are my chances of catching these STDs? How concerned are you with this possibility?
Regarding to HIV, if none of us have experienced any flu like symptom or fever during this time, is it safe to assume we are safe from that?
To answer your questions, I don't know when the vaginal discharge started, I heard my wife mentioning this recently and I would imagine this probably started around the time when other symptoms appeared. I will try ask and confirm. She did go through a pap appointment about 2.5 weeks post my initial exposure, which is after she noticed the vaginal bleeding, the exam included HPV screen and did not report anything abnormal at the time. No other STD testing was done as far I know.
Again, thanks for your response!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
62 months ago
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61 months ago
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Thanks again Dr. Handsfield for the through response. I tried to recollect all the details and I’m quite certain that the condom was intact in both events as it would have been very noticeable to see it being torn wide open and my penis visibly exposed had that happened. While thinking though that, one thing came to mind. It is my understanding that all condoms have pores on them, and some viruses are much smaller than those pores, which in theory would allow them to pass through under the right conditions, especially when condom was stretched either at the time of application or insertion when things were not well lubricated. In one of the events, the CSW did stretch the top part of the condom to make sure it fully covered the head of my penis before rolling it down, which I found odd at the time but didn't think much since it didn't cause it break. Would this have enlarged the pores for virus or bacteria to pass through more easily. Is this even a possibility or a concern based on how condoms are made these days?
I will find an opportunity soon to go through a test. Looking at nearby testing facilities, looks like STDCheck.com is likely best choice for me, but it does not look like they cover trichomonas and M. Genitalium. Are these not commonly tested items? I prefer urine test at this time if possible so I don’t have to explain the needle marks to my wife at this time, and will do a full panel during my next annual check up that’s still months later. I will also encourage my wife to see her doctor if her symptoms continue or get worse.
Thanks again for all the help so far!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
61 months ago
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