Made a big mistake

[25468]

Hi:

Recently I made a big mistake and went to a massage parlour where, for $240, I received a ********, had extensive mouth to vagina contact, and had vaginal sex with a condom.

My question is what are the chances of my catching some of the more common types of STD:

1. Gonorrhea
2. Chlamydia
3. Herpes
4. Warts
5. HPV
6. HIV
7. Hepatits
8. Others

Also, I have a wife and a young child -- under 4 -- what are the chances of my transmitting anything to them from kissing them goodbye/goodnight, sharing towels, sharing food, etc.....?

And, to add to the mix, my wife is pregnant and due in a moth. What concerns should I have in light of her being pregnant and passing anything to her or the unborn child? And once the child is born what issues should I have with the newborn?

Finally, when should I get tested for all of these STDs and how often will I need to be tested to know that any negative results -- God willing!!! -- are accurate?

Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.  Tests for the common bacterial problems (gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU) will be accurate at this time. For the infections that need blood tests times vary but if tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, test results at 3 months or beyond will verify what I have told you definitively for each of these STDs.  There is no approved test for HPV and if you get a blood test for HSV you are more likely to have a false postive than to find that you have acquired infection.

2. Yes.   In fact your risk of infection is even lower if you performed oral sex on her than if she performed oral sex on you.  

You really do not need to worry.  EWH

[25468]

Thank you for the prompt response.

Just a few follow up questions.

1. Despite what you have indicated, I would feel better getting tested. Therefore how soon after the event should the testing take place? (It has been about 48 hours since the event.) I don't want to get tested too early and get negative results that aren't accurate.

2. Also, I wasn't sure if your answers were also applicable to the oral sex that I performed upon the CSW. So, if you could let me know about that I would be most appreciative.

Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.   Your risk of STD from this single exposure is low.  Even though your partner was a commercial sex worker, most CSWs do not have STDs and, even when they do, most exposures to infected sex partners do not result in infection.  Vaginal sex is more likely to lead to infection than receipt of oral sex (see below) and your vaginal exposure was condom protected.  Condoms work and when used properly condom protected sex is safe sex.  

As for oral sex, as I said, this is an inefficient way to transmit STDs.  Of the bacterial STDs only gonorrhea and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) are transmitted through oral sex; chlamydia is not and without an obvious sore or lesion on your partner’s mouth, the chances of syphilis and herpes is likewise tiny.   If you had gotten gonorrhea or NGU you would have most likely developed symptoms of urethritis (penile infection) within 7 days of exposure.  As I said, even if your partner had an STD (any STD and it is likely she did not), most exposures do not lead to infection.  

As for the other viral infections you mention, including HIV, oral sex is not a meaningful risk.  In your case, if you wish to go and get tested for the common infections I mentioned, you can do so at any time.  Getting tested for all of them is a waste of time and money.  The tests will be accurate.

Finally, STDs are transmitted through sex, not by kissing, on towels or toilet seats, not through hugging or other causal contact.  Thus there is no reason for you to be concerned that you might endanger your wife or unborn child through casual contact in the very unlikely circumstance that you have an STD.  Take care.  EWH