[Question #9807] Std Testing and Risk

28 months ago

Dear Experts,

Thanks for the forum. I have some questions and maybe you can help.

I had unprotected oral sex for about 20 minute, give and received and less than a minute or two of unprotected sex.

Me male circumsized, she female with no ovious symptoms.

At day 10 I went to the doctor with no symptoms. I also tested negative for Chlamydia and Gonorea

Today day 16 the penis of my head feels a bit irritated. I have an appointment tomorrow with an urologist

No blisters or discharge.

My questions are:

Does an Hiv Test and Syphilis at 6 weeks is enough?

What other stds should I test for?

For herpes I read if infected I would show symptoms by two weeks. Given its day 16 and its only in the penile gland, could it be herpes? I have tested negative in the past for both on blood. So far no blisters like the once in pictures. Just my head a bit red, but not much.

Thanks for your help.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

28 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your implied confidence in our service. I'll be glad to comment. You do not say much about your partner but most people do not have STIs and most exposures to infected partners do not result in infection. In addition, your tests for the most commonly acquired STIs, gonorrhea and chlamydia are negative at a time when results are reliable. Regarding your specific questions:

Does an Hiv Test and Syphilis at 6 weeks is enough?

Absolutely. These tests are entirely reliable six weeks after an encounter.

What other stds should I test for?

No, it's time to move forward without concern.

This is not herpes. If you had acquired HSV you would have developed lesions within 10 days of your exposure. I suspect that your penile redness is unrelated to the encounter you describe. I suspect the urologist will conform this. In the meantime, please don't repeatedly exam yourself, doing so will just be irritating and confuse things.

I hope this information is helpful. Please don't worry. If there are further questions, please feel free to use your up to 2 follow-ups for clarification. EWH

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28 months ago

Hi Dr. Hook,

Thanks for your reply and I appreciate your help.

Let me give you an update. This girl is a potential girlfriend, 24 years old/ college master student but still seeing other people.

Me 30, working and working on my phd.

I just know she had another partner about a month before us and well she did not use a condom for the whole act.

I. have asked her and she has never had symptoms of an std but has never tested for STDs.

I saw the urologist today and he said that my penis looks fine and that on 17 days I would have shown up with some pain or blister/ anything if i would have caught anything.

I will test for HIV and syphilis on the 6 weeks marks just for peace of mind. You say not for herpes since the test has false positive and in my situation it is unlikely to catch herpes right?

Thanks for your help Dr Hook.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

28 months ago

Thanks for the information. While there are exceptions, as a generalization, your potential partner is not particularly likely to have an STI. That said, routine, periodic testing is always a good idea as STIs may be present without symptoms.

Sometimes, as a couple is starting a relationship, going together to get tested is a good way to give each other confidence in one another and provide a good foundation for a relationship to progress without doubts in one another. You might suggest this in a non-accusatory way.

You are correct, I see no reason to be worried about herpes. EWH

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28 months ago

Perfect Dr. Hook,

I agree with you, today is day 18 and i feel fine.

As said just will follow up in like 3 weeks but for a general checkup.

If you dont mind since I have another follow up and you are an expert in this area, I have some general sex questions.

We will see each other again this weekend and I will suggest to get tested together in the next two weeks hopefully she doesnt feel attacked and afterwards we can do whatever we want but are things following,, things low risk or risk free?:

Showering together?

Mutual Masturbation?

Oral sex without symptoms?

Sleeping together naked?

I know this are really common sense but Ive actually never asked them.

Anyways thanks for the forum and for sharing all your knowledge.

I think I speak in everyones behalf that yall do a great service here.

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

28 months ago

I'm glad your feeling fine. I think if you present it as a mechanism for mutual reassurance and means for the two of you to move forward in the relationship unencumbered by any doubts or concerns.

In the meantime the following are risk free activities: Showering together, mutual masturbation, and sleeping together naked. Oral sex is not entirely risk free as persons can have asymptomatic STIs (mostly gonorrhea, rarely chlamydia which can be transmitted during oral sex.

Thanks as well for your thanks. I'm glad I could be of assistance.

As you know, this will complete this thread. EWH

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