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STDs (Expert Forum)
Exposure Question
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Exposure Question
by exposure, Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
I recently had an encounter with a sex worker and I am concerned about the possibility of exposure to an STD. Im sure I am being paranoid but your feedback would be greatly appreciated. The only contact was her hand to my genitals for about 2-3 minutes before ejaculation. I was wearing a condom during the contact but there was some light contact of her hands to my testicals before the condom was in place. She only touched my penis after after puting on the condom.
Writing this feels silly in some way as I can even see how paranoid I am being. I have had worries before and even imagined symptoms after past encounters with less risky partners and tests had proved that nothing was wrong and moreover that the mind can play amazing tricks on the body. But my nerves and shame about this matter have brought on "symptoms" of soarness and irritation that are probobly not real. But logic doesnt making them go away. Having a profesional opinion about my experience will hopefully put my mind to ease.
Many thanks
Writing this feels silly in some way as I can even see how paranoid I am being. I have had worries before and even imagined symptoms after past encounters with less risky partners and tests had proved that nothing was wrong and moreover that the mind can play amazing tricks on the body. But my nerves and shame about this matter have brought on "symptoms" of soarness and irritation that are probobly not real. But logic doesnt making them go away. Having a profesional opinion about my experience will hopefully put my mind to ease.
Many thanks
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
STDs are not transmitted by hand to genital contact. It simply does not occur.
Your second paragraph is insightful and basically correct. You cannot rely on vague symptoms indicating infection. There is no way you acquired an STD from that exposure, and your symptoms are not those of any known STD anyway. As I have said innumerable times on this and the HIV forum, when somebody suggests his or her own symptoms likely have a psychological origina, s/he probably is almost always right.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Your second paragraph is insightful and basically correct. You cannot rely on vague symptoms indicating infection. There is no way you acquired an STD from that exposure, and your symptoms are not those of any known STD anyway. As I have said innumerable times on this and the HIV forum, when somebody suggests his or her own symptoms likely have a psychological origina, s/he probably is almost always right.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
HHH, MD