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STD Risk from Used Dildo
Last week, I purchased a dildo (material: better-than-real rubber) for anal use. Upon arrival, I should have been tipped off by the shoddy packaging that the dildo might have been previously used. The dildo appeared to be dry in its containing clear plastic bag, and I do not believe the inside of the bag had any wetness or moisture of any kind (because then I assume the dildo would be at least a bit moist, and any wetness/moisture would likely have dried during the shipping process), though I did not specifically check.
I washed the dildo twice with antibacterial soap. Without letting it air-dry, I placed two condoms over it (I understand now that putting two on causes them to break more easily) and used it anally, with a mixture of water-based and water+silicone-based lubricant. I later discovered that the particular company I purchased the dildo was rumored to send out returned/used sex toys as new toys.
I have two primary inquiries (aside from general STD exposure risk from the above facts):
(1) Assuming the dildo was used before, and assuming the person who used it before had some sort of STD, what are the chances that I was infected an STD through anal use? The last time someone used the dildo would have to be at least 3-4 days prior to my own use because of the order, packaging, and shipping process.
(2) Can lubricant or my fingers (or both) transfer HIV from the uncovered base of the dildo to the covered portion of the dildo (which came into direct contact with my rectum)? By covered I mean covered with the condoms. During use, I briefly touched the uncovered portion and then touched the covered portion, and I'm fairly certain that a little lube from the uncovered portion got onto the covered portion.
I'm primarily concerned because I know rubber is rather porous and might harbor bacteria and other germs.
Thank you!
I washed the dildo twice with antibacterial soap. Without letting it air-dry, I placed two condoms over it (I understand now that putting two on causes them to break more easily) and used it anally, with a mixture of water-based and water+silicone-based lubricant. I later discovered that the particular company I purchased the dildo was rumored to send out returned/used sex toys as new toys.
I have two primary inquiries (aside from general STD exposure risk from the above facts):
(1) Assuming the dildo was used before, and assuming the person who used it before had some sort of STD, what are the chances that I was infected an STD through anal use? The last time someone used the dildo would have to be at least 3-4 days prior to my own use because of the order, packaging, and shipping process.
(2) Can lubricant or my fingers (or both) transfer HIV from the uncovered base of the dildo to the covered portion of the dildo (which came into direct contact with my rectum)? By covered I mean covered with the condoms. During use, I briefly touched the uncovered portion and then touched the covered portion, and I'm fairly certain that a little lube from the uncovered portion got onto the covered portion.
I'm primarily concerned because I know rubber is rather porous and might harbor bacteria and other germs.
Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, I see no reason for testing. Your sore throat is almost certainly only coincidental to your use of the dildo in question. EWH
Thank you Dr. Hook. I do suspect that I am blowing the scenario out of proportion, but nonetheless your words helped allay my fears. One reason I became worried is because about a week after the event, I began developing a sore throat, congestion, and a little malaise (i.e., cold/flu symptoms), and my worry shifted to seroconversion and ARS. Do you think an STD test is warranted at all?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. As I supect you already know, your imagination is getting the best of you here. There is simply no way that an STD of any sort could survive the conditions of shipping, your cleasing activities and then been transmitted despite your use of a condom. Further, there is no reason for concern related to the lubricant you used. Please be assured that the activities you describe above would not have lead to transmission of any STD (including HIV) to you. EWH
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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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.
