[Question #8146] Follow up to Oral Sex STD Risk

48 months ago

Doctors,

I asked a question a number of months back and I was reviewing the answer recently as I wanted to check something. I understand that receiving oral sex (BJ) is a lower risk activity for STD's than vaginal sex, but still has risks. What I was trying to assess is what is the likelihood of risk of STD infection from a brief receipt of unprotected oral (<1or 2mins)? (e.g 1 in X chances type thing)

I am a little worried as I have practised safe sex to date (no vaginal or other type sex, only massage with HJ). I had one mistake the other day where I briefly received a BJ which was less than a minute or so, before I stopped her. The lady in question I know (regular masseuse), and I would doubt she actually has any STD's but still you never know and hence the question.

I hope you don't mind the follow up.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

48 months ago

Welcome back. But I'm sorry you found it necessary, since this question was partly answered in your previous questions (e.g. for HIV and HSV2). Please go back and re-read my replies there, as well as Dr. Hook's a couple of years ago. There are no good data on other STIs transmitted most frequently by oral sex (gonorrhea, herpes due to HSV1, nongonococcal urethritis), but probably each is under 1 chance in a thousand. Syphilis maybe about the same range, if your partner was male; if female, a lot lower. Equally important, all would have caused symptoms if you had been infected. Hand-genital contact is zero risk for all practical purposes even if genital fluids are used for lubrication.

Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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