I had a couple questions around a few ambiguous symptoms I'm experiencing. The first and most recent would be some red spots on my tongue. They started with one in the middle and now 2 days later there seems to be 4 or 5 spread out on my tongue. They are not really raised or look to be an open ulcer in nature. They are flat and mainly the color of my tongue. Almost as is if the texture on my tongue had been burnt off. From hot and spicy food maybe? The main reason I ask is cause of a brief performing of cunnilingus on a girl about 7-10 days ago. It was quite brief meaning just a few seconds so just wondering if this has the sounds of a herpes or syphilis?

Lastly I was just wondering if you would recommend HIV testing for two exposures for a mid-30's guy in Canada with two different girls in their mid 20's. One was a year ago and the other 6 months ago.  Both did not involve penetration but rather oral both ways and some rubbing of the penis on the outside of the vagina to make hard. Penetration did not happen in both cases because of lack of a condom and so things stopped there and went to just oral. I have been experiencing some off and on discomfort in my neck lymph  both around the neck and throat over the past couple months.. almost like the feeling when you're about to get a cold but the cold never seems to happen. Not sure if that's anything?

Thanks for such a great and honest service you provide. Too much unfounded fear and information out there 

 

The red areas on your tongue that you describe are not suggestive of any STI, including HIV. They certainly do not sound anything like syphilis or herpes. FYI, Oral STI’s are relatively uncommon and when STI’s occur in the mouth and throat they are most commonly gonorrhea and are typically totally asymptomatic.  I would look for another explanation for the spots you have noticed.

Regarding the other exposures you describe, these are relatively low risk for acquisition of STI’s including HIV.  Rubbing of your penis on the outside of the partners vagina without penetration (frottage) is a no risk activity and, like other forms of masturbation, has no risk for STI’s.  As mentioned above oral STIs (From giving or receiving) are uncommon and relatively rare. Thus, considering the activities you describe your risk for STI is relatively well and does not suggest a need for immediate testing.

On the other hand, as a matter of regular sexual health maintenance we do recommend periodic testing for persons who have had multiple partners, new partners, or partners who may have other recent partners. This sort of STI screening (That is testing in the absence of obvious signs or symptoms) is a good idea. Testing of the sort should include testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia at exposed sites as well as perhaps blood tests for HIV and syphilis all of these are quite rare. We absolutely and strongly do not suggest blood tests for herpes (Herpes blood tests are unreliable for screening and not recommended).

Congratulations on your personal approach safe sex. I hope the information and comments I have provided are helpful. If there are questions or clarification is needed please feel free to use your app to to follow up opportunities. Take care. EWH