[Question #9494] Single Oral Exposure

32 months ago

Hi experts.

Recently gave and received unprotected sex to a man outside of my relationship. I am also a man.

The contact was quick, no ejaculation. Not much touching or body contact. There was making out.

I’m completely ashamed of my actions and trying to mitigate any effects on my partner. I reached out to the person — they claimed to be clean and to have had “not more than one partner” (still deciphering) since getting all negative tests in Spring 2022. Obviously one could be asymptomatically infected over the 9 month period (he said the person — i'm assuming the only one he has seen since March— was “straight” and only would receive oral from the person I had my encounter with) but, alls to say, it was reassuring information, statistically speaking.

Was given a full test panel on day 6, despite the only risks seemingly being oral & penile chlamydia/gonnorhea and syphilis.

Everything came back negative.

For 24 hrs now (today is day 9 since exposure) my urethra is inflamed. Sensitive, burns a bit. Hole looks irritated. Has not really increased in severity over the 24 hr time period, no pain during urination, no discharge, but it is persisting … I’ve had this before (dehydration or friction seem to be the culprits) and it usually resolves quickly, but I’m concerned based on the timing and having tested for STIs semi-early. I recently washed the area with soap (shortly after the exposure) … i drink a lot of caffeine / alcohol … masturbate 1-3 times daily …

Is this likely to be an STD? Is there any reason to seek out any tests of any kind? Should I go on an antibiotic?

I want to resume sex with my partner and put this behind me, but its hard to relax with the symptom. Hoping its not STD-related / is psychosomatic, but need guidance …

I know I can’t have certainty, but would love to know if I can do something to get closer to it.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

32 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. Your day 6 tests are reliable and to be believed- you can be sure that you do not have gonorrhea or chlamydial and it would be unusual for non-chlamydial NGU resulting from the introduction of a partner's oral bacteria into your urethra to occur at this time. Even if this were non-chlamydial NGU. there are no data to suggest that it would be a danger to your partner.

The one outside possibility here is that this may be herpes. If it is, it would be due to HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores. HSV-2 is almost never acquired from receipt of oral sex. If you have had cold sores in the past or know that you have HSV-1, then herpes is not a concern. Further, if this is HSV, I would expect there to be small ulcerations (sores) on the outside of the head of your penis and for it to get worse over the next day or two.. If there are no sores, this is unlikely to be herpes.

Bottom line- unless there is evidence of herpes, this is unlikely to be an STI related to the encounter you describe. I would perhaps back off the masturbation a bit and would anticipate that the problem will improve over the next day or two. Soap may irritate it more.

We provide up to two follow-ups to each client's responses. If any part of my answer is unclear or if you have further questions, please use your follow-ups for that purpose. EWH

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