[Question #8231] STI concerns

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47 months ago
I am from India and a married person. 10 days back, I had an episode with a CSW. I wouldn't call her healthy, she was definitely underweight; I couldn't find any visible sores or rashes in her. I initially requested for a handjob with condom. She stroked with her bare hand to get my dick hard and then put on the condom, and was stroking it with her hand. I then asked if she could give me a blowjob and she agreed to do with a condom. So she gave a blow job and in between handjob (used both hand). She also touched/pressed my scrotum and pelvic region with her hand, so I was exposed to her saliva. This lasted for 15 mins and I ejaculated inside condom. I checked for any visible damage to the condom but couldn't find any.

Last few days, I am filled with anxiety and feeling many symptoms like itchiness and tingleness feeling over my body, black small spots, white tongue, blister at my back of tongue ( but I feel its been there for years now), headache and tiredness.

1. What's my risk exposure with HIV? When and what test i should take to be sure?
2. What's my risk exposure with other STDs and STIs?  And even for the very low risk one, when can I test to make sure?
3. I am already engaged in unprotected sex with my wife, should I stop? Have I put her in any risk?
I want to leave this episode behind me, so would appreciate your help on this.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
47 months ago
Welcome to the forum. I'm happy to address these issues with you.

You really needn't be worried about HIV or any STIs from the events you have described: congratulations on your approach to safe sex. Sexual transmission of HIV requires direct penile penetration into the vagina or rectum. The virus is not transmitted by saliva (which actually kills HIV) and therefore is almost never transmitted by oral sex, and not by hand-genital contact even if saliva is used for lubrication. So even without a condom for the oral sex, and despite the other contacts you describe, there was no measurable risk of HIV transmission. The risk of STIs other than HIV is somewhat higher, but still very low. Here too, unprotected vaginal, anal or oral penetration almost always is required for transmission. As for your symptoms, they are most consistent with anxiety and none suggest HIV or any other STI.

Those comments address most of your questions, but to be explicit:

1. Your HIV risk was nil for all practical purposes. From a medical or risk perspective, there is no need for testing. However, you are of course free to be tested if you would like the additional reassurance of the negative test result. IF so, have an antigen-antibody (AgAb, "4th generation") blood test. Such tests are 98-99% conclusive by 4 weeks, and 100% at 6 weeks or later.

2. Here too I see no need for testing. However, for reassurance you could have a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia, which is valid any time more than 3-4 days after exposure; and a syphilis blood test at 6 weeks. I strongly recommend against any other STI testing.

3. I see no need to stop having sex with your wife. You have not put her at risk.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD
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