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Gonorrhea or Paranoia?
Dear Doctor,
Around 6 weeks ago, I had received a "happy ending" at a massage parlour where a woman performed oral sex on me. The whole episode was 'average' in length, and frankly I was so overwhelmed with guilt and paranoia the details are a bit difficult to remember.
In any case, I recently came to find out through random surfing on the web that gonorrhea can be asymptomatic. I called up the masseuse and asked her if she was 'clean' and she said she was, but I figure that's what they are conditioned to respond.
I was wondering - what are the odds of catching something like Gonorrhea from such an episode. I have exhibited no symptoms of gonorrhea and this has been my only 'risky' sexual behaviour. I just want to be safe than sorry. I would immensely apprecaite your input. Should I be vary of anything else?? What is a routine test for Gonorrhea and how long do the test results take?
Around 6 weeks ago, I had received a "happy ending" at a massage parlour where a woman performed oral sex on me. The whole episode was 'average' in length, and frankly I was so overwhelmed with guilt and paranoia the details are a bit difficult to remember.
In any case, I recently came to find out through random surfing on the web that gonorrhea can be asymptomatic. I called up the masseuse and asked her if she was 'clean' and she said she was, but I figure that's what they are conditioned to respond.
I was wondering - what are the odds of catching something like Gonorrhea from such an episode. I have exhibited no symptoms of gonorrhea and this has been my only 'risky' sexual behaviour. I just want to be safe than sorry. I would immensely apprecaite your input. Should I be vary of anything else?? What is a routine test for Gonorrhea and how long do the test results take?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
It is true that gonorrhea of the urethra can be asymptomatic, but it is rare. (As it happens, many consider me the world's expert on asymptomatic gonorrhea in men. That topic was the basis of my first research when I entered the STD field 35 years ago.)
The chance you have gonorrhea without symptoms depends on a) the likelihood your massage partner had gonorrhea of the throat, probably less than 1 chance in 1,000; b) that it would be transmitted, if she had it (probably less than 1 in 10); and c) the chance that if you caught gonorrhea, you would have no symptoms (probably around 1 in 100). Thus, the odds you have it come to 0.001 x 0.1 x 0.01 = 0.0000001, or 1 in a million.
As for other STDs from oral sex, the possibilities are herpes due to HSV-1 and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), but these risks also are low and the absence of symptoms is similarly reassuring.
If you remain concerned, visit your local health department STD clinic for testing, or see your personal health care provider. But if I were in your situation, knowing what I know, I would not get tested and I would be comfortable continuing unprotected sex with my wife.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
It is true that gonorrhea of the urethra can be asymptomatic, but it is rare. (As it happens, many consider me the world's expert on asymptomatic gonorrhea in men. That topic was the basis of my first research when I entered the STD field 35 years ago.)
The chance you have gonorrhea without symptoms depends on a) the likelihood your massage partner had gonorrhea of the throat, probably less than 1 chance in 1,000; b) that it would be transmitted, if she had it (probably less than 1 in 10); and c) the chance that if you caught gonorrhea, you would have no symptoms (probably around 1 in 100). Thus, the odds you have it come to 0.001 x 0.1 x 0.01 = 0.0000001, or 1 in a million.
As for other STDs from oral sex, the possibilities are herpes due to HSV-1 and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), but these risks also are low and the absence of symptoms is similarly reassuring.
If you remain concerned, visit your local health department STD clinic for testing, or see your personal health care provider. But if I were in your situation, knowing what I know, I would not get tested and I would be comfortable continuing unprotected sex with my wife.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're welcome. Take care.
Thank you doctor. Your response was very succinct and extremely reassuring.
Respects.
Respects.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"...you (and Dr Hook) typically ask users that it is our decision as to whom we believe."
That isn't true. We generally are quite clear as to our own beliefs/recommendations, as I was in my reply to invisiblebunny.
This reply is not an invitation to continue to discuss or debate it. That should end this thread.
That isn't true. We generally are quite clear as to our own beliefs/recommendations, as I was in my reply to invisiblebunny.
This reply is not an invitation to continue to discuss or debate it. That should end this thread.
When, in the face of what seems to be a conflict between your advice and the info available on the internet (which is usually rather vaguely-worded) you (and Dr Hook) typically ask users that it is our decision as to whom we believe.
Of course, we are lay people, mostly without a medical/scientific background, and we sometimes "forget" that we are dealing with experts who have been studying HIV/STDs and have direct clinical experience of them (as Dr Hansfield's above reply states) and not some quacks!
Of course, we are lay people, mostly without a medical/scientific background, and we sometimes "forget" that we are dealing with experts who have been studying HIV/STDs and have direct clinical experience of them (as Dr Hansfield's above reply states) and not some quacks!
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
