You are asking anxiety-driven questions whose answers are well known--like the one I deleted about catching HIV from shaking hands with someone with a blister (!), and an earlier one about being nicked on the ear by a barber. Also, forum rules clearly state that nobody may post more than 2 questions in a 6 month period. This attempt was your third (or maybe even fourth?) in only a few weeks.
This site is not designed for online counseling of irrationally frightened people. Please do not keep trying.
HHH, MD
Doc,
Last follow-up, I promise. I've read a lot how risk is greater for uncircumcized males. I am uncircumcized - does that weigh in at all in my particular situation?
Thank you very much.
Doc,
Thank you very much for a prompt response. Just one follow-up. The sex-worker was in UK. Does that change any of your responses?
Thanks again.
No, my responses apply to virtually all industrialized countries, not just the US.
HHH, MD
I do realize that partially my questoins have to do with other STDs, but my primary concern is obviously with HIV, therefore please rather than removing this post if you think it is inappropriate for this forum (I hope it isn't), just answer the HIV question.
Thanks!
See no. 2 in my original reply.
Dear Dr. Hansfield,
Sorry to see you deleted my post. Looking back I do realize it may have been "low risk" but a simple response of "no risk - low risk stop being paranoid" would have meant a lot more than you deleting it. It may only be $15.00 but money doesn't grow on trees and in all seriousness it was in my mind a question of importance. I have asked multiple questions, donated multiple times and respected your feedback over the past year or so - I'm really dissapointed and still stuck here wondering if I was in fact just being paranoid, over reacting, etc. or if there was merit to my question. I'm dissapointed but still appreciate the work you do for many.
If there was any merit to your question, he wouldn't have deleted it. It says pretty clearly on the front page, that he will delete certain questions without refund.
If you still feel confused, ask it over on the HIV forum. Most everyone there has Dr HHH's answers in their internal memories, and can cite what he would say in an uncanny manner.
In general, an online expert cannot diagnose a problem that remains uncertain after other providers have evaluated it in person. But some general comments:
As you suggest, genital herpes due to your partner's apparent oral herpes is unlikely, assuming your own recurrent oral sores are herpes; you are at least highly resistant, if not completely immune, to a new HSV-1 infection. Still, it wasn't smart to permit oral sex by a person with an overt oral sore. That person might have had oral HSV-2; that's generally uncommon, but why take any risk at all? Chancroid isn't acquired by oral sex or through condoms, and is extremely rare anyway, with fewer than 100 cases per year in the US, mostly of those in people who acquired it in other countries. Syphilis wouldn't appear so soon and also is extremely rare in heterosexuals in most of the US. Currently there is no LGV in heterosexuals in the US, and it is not acquired by oral sex. And although in theory LGV causes genital ulceration, that is an extremely rare event; I have never seen such a case.
1) For the reasons above, herpes still is possible and approriate testing is warranted, if not already done. You do not have chancroid, syphilis, or LGV. Maybe not sexually transmitted, e.g. staph or strep.
2) Even when an STD or other condition increases the risk, when the exposure is almost zero risk anyway, it doesn't change things appreciably. Double a zero risk and you still have zero risk.
3) If all STD tests are negative, as I expect them to be, and if the lesions persist or new ones appear, return to your provider for further diagnosis--for non STD causes.
Good luck-- HHH, MD