Heterosexual Risk of HIV/HepC/HPV

[Feeling_Distressed]

Hi. I am a woman who recently had sex with a man who has had other heterosexual partners in the past. While we did use a condom during intercourse, he did rub his penis on the inside of my genitals, but not farther then the vaginal opening, prior to condom use and intercourse. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but now I am starting to become quite worried about my risk of HIV, Hep C, and HPV. I've had testing done recently and it was all negative. However, I know I have to re-do the tests again at 3 months. I can't seem to stop worrying about the possibility of infection.

[Feeling_Distressed]

Okay, I know what bv is now. I googled it. I hope that's not what I had. Sounds more like I had a yeast infection but I read that approximately 50% of women with bv are asymptomatic.

Thanks again.

[Feeling_Distressed]

Thanks again. What's bv?

[gracefromHHP]

no reason to get gardasil now. it won't help if you do have hpv and it shouldn't be an issue for you and your husband if you stay together.

yeast infections don't seem to increase your risk of std's as much as bv does.

[Feeling_Distressed]

Thanks for your well-wishes! So, if I pay for it myself, I can get the gardasil vaccine? Would it be recommended? (I realize it can't help with past encounters.) No, I don't believe either of us has been tested for herpes before. Also, one more question...Does having a yeast infection increase my risk of exposure of any of the STIs?

Thanks again for your knowledge and information.

[gracefromHHP]

unfortunately insurance won't pay for gardasil vaccination over the age of 29 at this point. if you haven't had them by now, too late to help from this encounter too :(

best of luck working through your marital issues with your husband. It's not always easy but it can be done :)

this was overall very low risk. covering your bases is a good idea since you are reconciling with your husband.  too show good faith, has he too went for std testing? odds are that neither of you have ever been tested for herpes before either.

[Feeling_Distressed]

Thank-you very much for your response also!

[Feeling_Distressed]

Thanks so much for your detailed and thoughtful response regarding my concerns! Deep down, I think I realize this was low risk, but not zero risk, but I am a natural-born worrier! I am an almost 40-year old woman who was separated briefly from my husband. We are back together now and attending couseling to work on our marital issues. It was during our brief separation, that I had my fling (which I have never done before). Is the gardasil vaccine for a middle-aged married woman? Also, is my risk still low if the penis might have touched the vaginal opening?

Thanks again.

[gracefromHHP]

herpes , hpv and syphilis were your biggest risks from this. that said, they are low risk too.

you won't be tested fully for hpv either. we don't test for external hpv infections ( the kinds that cause genital warts ) which was your hpv risk from this.

proper condom use means the condom goes on when the clothing comes off. waiting until just actual penetration to put it on doesn't protect you as much as you could be protected.  obviously too late now for this info but use it for the future so you don't have to worry this much. when a condom is used properly, it reduces your risk of hpv by 90% which is significant.   have you had your gardasil shots?

if you repeat your testing, make sure it's herpes and syphilis. no reason for more testing for anything else. syphilis testing can be done at the 6 week mark but since you have to wait 3 months for herpes testing, just wait and do them both at the same time. should you have any obvious genital symptoms before then of course be seen then for a proper work up.

overall your risk from a one time mostly protected encounter is very low. cover your bases for peace of mind but try not to worry yourself too much about it all. I know that's easier for me to say than it is for you to do but really, this was overall very low risk.

grace

[JessyJames2010]

Hello

You were at ZERO risk for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Hep C and Hep B, from the "rub[ing] his penis on the inside of my genital, but not farther then the vaginal opening"