STD from french kissing

[mazy121]

HI

I did deep french kissing with a Swedish escort in London today. She also gave me protected oral. I never had any sex.

She said she moves from london to berlin and then to her home country Sweden after several months. I don't even know how she can get tested in different countries or if that is even possible.

My question is what are my chances of getting any STD from deep french kissing?

Please help I am very worried.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  Your question came while I was online; most users should not expect immediate replies!

The STD risk from kissing, french or otherwise, is virtually zero.  There are only two known possibilities, syphilis and herpes due to HSV-1.  Oral HSV-1 acquired by kissing isn't considered an STD, but if your partner has oral herpes, especially with a current active outbreak, you might be at risk.  As for syphilis, it is pretty much absent in heterosexual populations in western Europe; and rarely if ever transmitted by kissing -- a theoretical possibility but nothing to worry about.

That's all.  My advice is to not worry at all.  STDs are only a problem with direct vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[mazy121]

thanks for letting know.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

HSV testing would be silly in this circumstance, absent symptoms of new oral herpes.  In any case, HSV testing isn't valid until 3-4 months.

[mazy121]

Yes you are right Sir

I know now that it is pointless especially for gonorrhea or chlamydia test since I wore an intact condom which did not break or slip and I don't need blood test since I did not have sex.  

Gonorrhea on the throat is very rare so I don't need it.

The only test I want to take is for herpes but I don't think its necessary since there was no genital to genital contact. But I might take the test for it at 4-6 week as suggested by you.

Thank you again for your expert advise. I commend you for helping a scared 23 year old like me with limited health knowledge especially with issues that are hard to even speak to doctors at NHS gum clinic.

You have reduced my anxiety and eliminated my fear.

Best wishes

Maz

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Feel free to be tested if you feel you must.  But standard STD testing won't pick up anything even if you were infected.  For example, it is pointless to have a genital (urine or swab) test for gonorrhea or chlamydia.  And 2 weeks is too soon for a blood test for any STD; 4-6 weeks at the earliest.

The only STD test that would mean anything at all is a swab of your throat for gonorrhea testing.  And many labs don't even offer such a test.

I suggest you just drop it and move on.  You are absolutely right that this is a guilt issue -- but that's not going to get any better with testing that doesn't prove anything one way or the other.

That's all for this thread.  Good luck.

[mazy121]

Its probably my guilt and worrying so much about an STD that I never had which is eating me inside.

I will probably get tested after 2 weeks just for a peace of mind.

Anyway thank you again for your help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Even without a condom, there is little STD risk from oral sex. With a condom, truly zero risk for any and all infections.

That ends the thread.  Stop worrying so much and move on.

[mazy121]

Thank you for giving me such relief.

One last question. The escort gave me protected oral with condom which lasted 10 - 15 mins. She also touched her genitals.

Is there any possibility of me catching any STD and should I get tested?

sorry for asking you the same type of question but this is my last.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You may not even be susceptible to HSV-1; half or more of all adults have had it (often without symptoms) and are immune to a new infection.  And as everyone knows, oral herpes is a minor inconvenience for most people, not an important health threat.  You do not need testing.  (If you are entirely unfamiliar with oral herpes -- sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters -- I suggest you google it for more information.)

You do not need any testing for any infection on account of the kiss you are concerned about.  Just forget the entire episode and do not worry about it.  It was only a kiss!

[mazy121]

Thanks your for your advise.

What are my chances of getting oral hsv-1 and how dangerous is it, and do I need to get tested right away?

thank you again for your help.