STD Risk

[deange2001]

three days ago i made the mistake of visiting a provider.  She performed covered oral and vaginal sex but at one point i performed uncovered oral on her (albeit for about 10-15 seconds total).  She did not appear to have any visible signs of STDs (i know that does not mean much but there was no order, open sores, discharge etc).  My only real concern is that about a week prior to the meeting, i bit the inside of my lip open pretty bad during a hockey game - did not need stitches and it appeared to heal quickly (although it was not fully healed but did appear to have a protective layer over the wound and as it did not hurt to drink or eat etc at the time of the engagement).

I am just really nervous now, I have already scheduled a screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and the HIV RNA test (i am going this coming weekend).  I will obviously have an idea of my health after this time (and will prob get tested again at a later date) but at this point I am just looking for information as to what my outlook is like.  Again, the provider had no visible symptoms or signs of stds but we all know that does not mean i am at no risk.  Please let me know what you think and if you recommend I take other tests please say so and when etc.

I hope to hear back from someone soon - just to help with the nerves.  Everything I have read would lead me to believe I may have dodged a bullet but it would be nice to hear things directly from a professional with knowledge on the subject.

Thanks,
-M

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I'll be happy to provide some perspective.  There is no meaningful risk for STI from your receipt of condom protected oral sex.  Thus, your only risk was from your brief performance of oral sex on her and that risk is very, very low.  While surprising to some, the fact is that most commercial sex workers do not have STIs of any sort (bad for business) and have themselves checked for infections far more regularly than most people.  In addition, cunnilingus is very low risk for infection even if she did happen to have an infection. IF she had HIV (and that is unlikely) your risk for infection is no greater than 1 in 10,000 sex acts and that estimate may well be too high.  As for STIs such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, the risk for these is also quite low.


My advice is not to worry and that if you wish to seek testing the critical test is a throat swab for gonorrhea nd chlamydia.  The other testing is up to you and not something I feel is crucial but I also understand that you may want to test to be sure.

I hope these comments are helpful. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad I could help.  I am confident your tests will be negative.  You may post your results when available. Until then, there will be no further answers.  Take care.  EWH

[deange2001]

Thanks Doc.  I will obviously have specific answers in a week and will verify with another round of tests down the road.

Still a nervous wreck but I do appreciate the responses.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If I were worried abut the cut in your mouth, I would have mentioned it. Cuts of this sort, as well as denatl problems are not known to increase risk for infection...Please don't worry.  EWH

[deange2001]

I also used mouthwash about 10 minutes after the encounter (when I got home).  I am not sure if this would help anything as it was not directly after but i guess it could not have hurt anything.

Thanks again in advance for the answers/positive support.  I am sure you guys have to deal with a lot of the same questions but please know that it is greatly appreciated and certainly helps with the anxiety side of things.

[deange2001]

Thank you for the quick response - I already booked and paid for the tests so that is inevitable (but peace of mind is not a bad thing).

I understand the "low risk" nature of the acts performed but you feel the cut in my mouth is of no concern?  again it was about a week old and it definitely was healing but was still not fully healed (although in the last two days it has healed almost completely).  That was my real concern as I went down on the provider for a very brief amount of time (not trying to be graphic but i only licked her a few times then stopped).

Thanks again.