Worried about HIV

[LittleJohn20]

I received oral sex from a stranger 4 months ago and it's weighing on my mind that I may have contracted something. I came in his mouth and I did suck him for a few seconds. Should I be worried, would I have any signs of infection?
My top concern is HIV.

[LittleJohn20]

I have and the test should be back tomorrow. I'm just worried sick about it, I have 2 little kids and I did something I shouldn't have done. It's those risks that scare me more then anything.

I think I may need to ask for some anxiety prescription to make it through the next day.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You should discuss this with yoru doctor. If professional reassurrance is not sufficient he/she may give you something to help you relax.  EWH

[LittleJohn20]

Thanks, do you suggest I do something for anxiety in the mean time?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. Take care. EWH

[LittleJohn20]

Tests came back negative!
Set up an appointment to talk about my anxieties.

Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

See my comments above.  Your risk is very low.  If you need to get tested, only do so if you can promise yourself you will believe the results (negative) that you will get.  EWH

[LittleJohn20]

Yes, I am still very nervous and anxious. I don't recall any symptoms but I have gotten some sore spots in my groin area I've blamed on biking and running. I did have a pimple like sore between my scrotum and anus maybe 6 weeks after this encounter. I can't recal if it was painful or not since I seemed to have significant chaffing.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This was a relatively low risk exposure and if you have not developed symptoms by now, your risk of STDs is close to zero.  Most people do not have STDs (including HIV) and even when they do, most single exposures do not lead to transmission.  

With regard to HIV, The quoted figure for HIV risk, if one has oral sex with an infected partner is less than 1 in 10,000 and, in my estimation that is too high. Some experts state there is no risk at all from oral sex.  Neither of us on this site have ever seen or reading the medical literature of a convincing instance in which HIV was passed by oral sex.  Testing for HIV following the exposure you describe would mostly be for your peace of mind, not because of any meaningful risk.  

With respect to other 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).  Similarly, if you had acquired herpes or syphilis a lesion would have likely developed at the site of exposure by this time.  I would urge you not to worry however, if you wish to be absolutely certain, you could go to your local STD clinic or health care provider to be tested at this time.

I hope these comments are helpful. EWH