Cunnilingus is a very safe sexual practice, with low risk of all STIs, both for the oral and vaginal partner. To my knowledge, there has never been a scientifically documented case of HIV transmitted by cunnilingus. My colleague Dr. Hook was one of the investigators on a study showing very low risk of oral infection in the cunnilingus partners of women with gonorrhea. Chlamydia is probably even lower risk, largely because chlamydia doesn't take hold very well in the throat, and has never been scientifically shown to be transmitted mouth to genitals. Herpes and syphilis certainly could be so transmitted, but also seems to be quite uncommon.

So all things considered, there is little chance you have any STI you could transmit to your wife, probably well under one chance in a thousand (as a very rough guess). In fact, it is likely that your risk of infection was higher from the vaginal sex, with condoms, than from cunnilingus.

Should you be tested before having sex with your wife? If somehow I were in your situation, I would not do so. But I'm not, and you'll need to make your own decision. You could have a valid throat swab test for gonorrhea and chlamydia at any time. However, blood tests for syphilis and HIV would have to wait a few weeks.

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

HHH, MD

No worries if you have more to say or ask:  two follow-up exchanges are included with each question. On the other hand, I doubt there's much more I can say about the situation.

I did have unprotected sex with my wife - penis to vagina only - assuming that is fine as a wore a condom.  I understand this is my last question.  I have purchased an STD panel test, but am hesitant to use it as i know it is early and i am just too scared.

Thank you for everything and I know this is my last question.

Many tests in most comprehensive STD panels are unnecessary (and unnecessarily expensive); and some are potentially misleading. Gonorrhea and chlamydia tests (on urine or swab specimens) are valid after 4-5 days, but that's all. No blood test for any STD can turn positive sooner than 4 weeks, and most take 6-12 weeks.

Question: I'm assuming if the urine sample is negative, there is low risk my wife has anything, given I had protected sex?

I am hoping to find a clinic and get the shot and antibiotics you often discuss this week to address everything.

Thank you for kindness and intelligence.

Threads normally are closed after two follow-up exchanges, and this is the third -- so that ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes.