Protected Oral Sex with cut at the base of the penis

Hello Doctor,

                  I had a protected oral sex from a female sexual partner today (she is an escort). After that I noticed there was a cut (resulted from shaving my genital area couple hrs before) at the base of the penis which there was some bleeding. Oral sex lasted for about couple minutes but I’m not sure whether any part of this cut came in contact with her mouth (might not have come in contact). I don’t think there was any blood in her mouth she looked clean. What is the risk of HIV exposure from this incident even if she is HIV positive and with bleeding gums? I think oral sex risk was very low but not sure what is the risk when there is a cut on the penis. And also do I need to worry about any other STDs (like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes.) from this exposure. I got tested for all STDs 10 days back with negative results. Do you think I should get tested for this exposure? If so do you think 30 days from this exposure would be enough or I need to wait for 90 day mark to get tested? Thanks for you suggestions

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

Neither HIV nor any other STDs are possible from condom-protected oral sex.  Bleeding gums and cuts on the penis make no diference, even if saliva etc came in contact with the "cut".  You do not need testing for any infection on account of this event.  Even without a condom, no testing is required after this sort of exposure.

You have a track record of repeated questions on the STD forum and various community forums about obviously low risk events.  Please educate yourself about safe sex so you don't need to ask for additional reassurance after every sexual exposure, especially when there is no risk involved.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[fr3@k!ngout]

Thank you very much for the reply. I did read about protected oral sex over different forums and there is no doubt in my mind this exposure was zero risk the only reason I did post the question was because of the cut I wasn't sure whether there would be any risk especially when the cut and blood from her bleeding gum's came in contact ( if she has any)?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Cuts do not raise the risk of HIV unless trhe cut is deep and fresh, e.g. actively bleeding.  In health care workers, all transmissions due to wounds occured when the wound was caused by an HIV-contaiminated sharp instrument, not because of expossure to pre-existing wounds.

[fr3@k!ngout]

Thank you for the response. The cut was fresh at that time. I got the cut just 2 hrs before the exposure. I wouldn't say it was deep but it was fresh and there is little amount of blood around the cut (blood could have been there due to the movement). Even with this scenario are you still going to stick with your previous response that this exposure was a zero risk? Thanks again

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It's not a question of "sticking" with my previous response, if that term is intended to imply inappropriate adherence to it.  The scientific evidence clearly shows there is no reason for you to fear HIV from the event described.