Dumb and Worried

[cowboy_fan]

I am a 54 year old male and three days ago I stupidly received unprotected oral sex from a street worker. I did not noticed any blood (and probably would have) and did not see (but did not look for) any oral sores. In the last three days I have had no symptoms of STDs. My question is whether, since some herpes cases (and maybe other STDs??) are asymptomatic, you would recommend that I get tested? If so, when, and should I abstain from sex until the results are in? Many thanks and Happy New Year!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Tests for bacterial STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia are valid after just a few days.  On average, if syphilis is going to appear it will be there within 2-3 weeks.  For herpes, again sores would appear, on average, about a week after expsoure.  Blood tests become most useful about a month after exposure (syphilis, HIV).  EWH

[cowboy_fan]

Can you advise on when to get tested for (a) bacterial stds and (b) viral? Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You risk is modest or lower.  If your partner had a bacterial STD, the odds of becoming infected after a single exposure are somewhere between 20 and 40%.  The likelihood that she was infected are small however.  Regarding viral STDs such as herpes the risk is still lower,  The safest approach is to get tested. How likely are you to have some sort of STD, off the top of my head using the figures above, probably less than 5%.  Risk of infection- low. Should you get tested, might be a good idea but you probably will not have an STD.   Should you abstain, your call using these figures.   Hope this is helpful.  EWH