hi drs hook and hansfield , 4 weeks ago i recieved oral from another male to completion ( i am also male )and very concerned that i might have caught an sti as i am married and panic stricken , its the one and only time i have done this , its been 4 weeks since the exposure and i have had no burning when urinating , no visible lesions and ive been constantly checking , i do have what seems to be a puffy uncomfortable feeling in my left groin which im constantly checking but not painful and what seems to be a raised node( i think ) under my right armpit which im constantly checking as im worried sick ,,, i know i should go and be tested but its not easy as the walk in clinics are now by appointment only and its not easy as me and the wife go everywhere together , im constantly on your site reading other peoples questions and your answers ( not healthy i know ),,can you please tell me how concerned i should be as the anxiety is killing me ,, thanks in advance.

Welcome to our firm. Thanks for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment. Receipt of oral sex is amongst the least biologically efficient mechanisms for transmission of STI‘s, including HIV. Few people have infections of the throat due to STI‘s and even when they do the transmission is biologically inefficient. There are no instances in which HIV has ever been proven to be acquired through receipt of oral sex and the most common STI following receipt of oral sex is gonorrhea which typically becomes symptomatic within 3 to 5 days of exposure.---

Thanks for your swift reply dr hook , my main concern was syphillis having read this may make the lymph nodes swell , I’m trembling just typing the word , if it makes any difference I am 62 and the male in question was a lot younger and it was outdoors on a dark night where this sort of thing happens regularly, sorry if the question sound stupid but I want to try and get all the facts in ,,, I’ve had similar groin discomfort 10 years ago when I was worried about a handjob question which you answered on medhelp , I also get a slight warm numb feeling down the thigh on the same side which I put down to suspected Meraglia parashetica and I believe that can affect the groin ,,, thanks for your patience.

Thank you for the further explanation. Acquisition of syphilis from receipt of oral sex is so rare is to be considered a curiosity. You are now four weeks out from your encounter and if you had acquired syphilis by now you would have developed a syphilis lesion (chancre) at the site of exposure. I really would not worried in the least about Syphilis from the exposure you describe. EWH---

Hi dr hook , I just thought I would ask my last question before it is closed as it’s 28 days tomorrow when I posted :

It’s crazy the amounts of different opinions you see online when searching, I find myself constantly checking for rashes on my feet and hands ,,, I’ll never put myself in this situation again that’s for sure ,,,, thanks again.

Welcome back.  The exposure you described carried NO risk for HIV (there has never been a case of HIV associated with receipt of oral sex) and a miniscule risk for other STIs.  The possible lymph node in your right armpit is likewise inconsequential (a trained clinician can find swollen lymph nodes in the arm pits in almost everyone). The solitary finding of any, albeit minor concern was the possible lymph node in your groin. Even with this, I normally would not suggest testing.  In your case however, you may want to seek testing to relieve your continuing anxiety and concern- for you to still be worrying now, at about two month after the episode and to still not feel comfortable having unprotected sex with your wife is simply not good for your mental health.  Presuming that you are located in the U.S. I am confident you can arrange for confidential testing at a local health department.  The reason I suggest you consider testing is NOT out of concern that you might be infected but to get the peace of mind that negative tests will provide.---

Hi dr hook , thanks for keeping the thread open , much appreciated.

Yes, your test results provide conclusive evidence that you did not acquire an STI.  No further tests needed. Time for you to move forward without concern.  EWH---