Plastic Wrap

Hi Doc,

I am a male and I received oral sex from a massage worker.  She did not have any condoms so used plastic wrap to cover my penis, which at the time seemed to make sense.The wrap did not tear and her mouth never made contact with any other part of my body, I have a couple of questions.

1) What is my risk assessment for HIV and any other STDs.?  
2)Can I resume my normal sex life right away? Should ask my doctor for antibiotics just in case I was infected with an STD?
3) In terms of herpes, she did not have any sores or lesions. Should that be something I should worry about?
4) I have read a lot of things on the internet explaining that plastic wrap can be used as a form of protection when performing oral sex on a women? I guess I can see why it would not be the best means of protection for the person performing oral on a man but it seems logical to me that if it protects a person receiving cunnilingus the same principal would apply to a man receiving fellatio.

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. the value of plastic wrap, as opposed to latex for STD prevention has not been studied.  I agree that there is some logic to this but again, no data.  Either way, the risk of STDs, including HIV from oral sex is low.  Without protection, oral sex is an inefficient way to transmit STDs.  Of the bacterial STDs only gonorrhea and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) are transmitted through oral sex; chlamydia is not and without an obvious sore or lesion on your partner’s mouth, the chances of syphilis and herpes is likewise tiny.   If you had gotten gonorrhea or NGU you would have most likely developed symptoms of urethritis (penile infection).  Even if your partner had an STD (any STD and it is likely she did not), most exposures do not lead to infection.  In your case, your exposure was protected (admittedly with unstudied material) and thus your risk should be quite low. I would urge you not to worry.


For protect in oral sex among women what are used are typically dental dams which are thin, flat pieces of latex, the same material that condoms are made from.

I hope this helps.EWH

[luv2bwl]

So in this case an HIV test is not warranted?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

withthe exposure you descirbe there is no medical need for HIV testing.  EWH

[luv2bwl]

Based on your previous answer is it safe to assume testing for syphillis (syphilis) is also not medically needed?

[luv2bwl]

Based on your previous answer is it safe to assume testing for syphillis (syphilis) is also not medically needed?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

correct.  EWH

[luv2bwl]

Thank so much for the answers you provided.  As a precaution I received preventative medicine at a local clinic.  I was so flustered I did not ask the name of the medicines being given from doing some reading I assume I was given a shot of ceftriaxone for Gonorrhea and NGU and pills of azithromycin for Chlamydia (although you had stated that isnt a real possibility). If hypothetically I was infected how long after shot would I no longer be contagious and could continue to have sex with my gf.  I have read in previous posts by Dr. HHH, that 48 hours is enough time and the 1 week time frame is over kill, but I dont know if he was referring to other antibiotic regiments

[Edward W Hook, MD]

48 hours is more than enough time to render you non-infectious following the treatment you received, if you needed treatment (which I doubt).  EWH

[luv2bwl]

Just to be sure I called the clinic to see exactly what they gave me. I was given a shot Ceftrixone (Rocephin), 1gm azithromycin and 2.4 mm in one dose of Benzathine Penicillian. Does the information you gave still stand? Is 48 hours still enough time to not be contagious when talking about gonerrha,NGU, syphilis and chlamydia?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Last answer. The medications you recieved are the ones I suspected you received.  You do not need to worry (although it appears that my telling you this does not seem to help).

The thread is over. EWH