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STDs (Expert Forum)
HELP with this Anxiety
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.
HELP with this Anxiety
by ivmSF4E, Jul 12, 2007 12:00AM
Hi Doctor, I am a male and I am relatively new with having sexual experiences with other men. Recently I went to an adult theater and received mutual masterbation (masturbation) and oral sex from another man who was a stranger (I did not do oral sex on him). Now I am having a lot of anxiety regarding STDs. I know I am not much risk for HIV (am I?) but I’m really scared regarding syphilis. Is my anxiety over this warranted?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 12, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 12, 2007 12:00AM
Please search the forums for innumerable discussions of exactly the same questions. Use the search link and look for 'HIV transmission risk', 'STD transmission risk', 'oral sex', 'fellatio', and 'hand-genital contact'. You will see that hand-genital contact always is zero risk; and that HIV transmission from mouth to penis by oral sex is such low risks that the experts debate about it: some believe it never occurs, and those who believe in it agree the risk is around 1 chance per 20,000 exposures. And that's if someone's partner has HIV, which your might not have been.
Syphilis indeed is a risk, but the chances are small there as well. If you don't develop an open sore on your penis in the next 4-6 weeks, you're probably home free. But if uncertain, of course you can see a provider to have syphilis (and HIV testing, if you wish) about 6 weeks after the event.
Finally, as you begin your sexual life with other men, it sounds like you could use some personal advice about sex and STD/HIV prevention. Even if you decide not to get tested for HIV or syphilis, seek out a health care provider who understands and is sensitive to the health needs of gay men and understands the lifestyle issues. Word of mouth from other gay men, or from searching on the web (e.g., try gay.com), usually can identify such providers, certainly in every city or suburb and often in remote rural areas as well.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Syphilis indeed is a risk, but the chances are small there as well. If you don't develop an open sore on your penis in the next 4-6 weeks, you're probably home free. But if uncertain, of course you can see a provider to have syphilis (and HIV testing, if you wish) about 6 weeks after the event.
Finally, as you begin your sexual life with other men, it sounds like you could use some personal advice about sex and STD/HIV prevention. Even if you decide not to get tested for HIV or syphilis, seek out a health care provider who understands and is sensitive to the health needs of gay men and understands the lifestyle issues. Word of mouth from other gay men, or from searching on the web (e.g., try gay.com), usually can identify such providers, certainly in every city or suburb and often in remote rural areas as well.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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ivm, do not take antibiotics. Throw away your leftover tetracycline.
You came to this forum for reassurance. I gave it. Accept it and move on.
This thread is over.