should I get tested ASAP?

[czech001]

I hope you can help. I've been a complete idiot.  I had very brief protected oral and virginal sex with CSW 1 day ago and i'm now very worried after realising the possible consequences of my actions. It was a one off and i am now worried that I may pass on a std to my long term partner before i have time to be tested.

Should i wait for symptoms and get tested only if these appear. Should abstain from further unprotected sex with my long term partner?


Should i continue to loss sleep/fret over this mistake?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry, missed the condom.  Yes, condom use further reduces the risk - making an already low risk exposure now a close to no risk exposure.  That said, your risk is not zero although it is close to it.  You have to decide how nervous you are and therefore how much you need testing to relieve yor nervousness.  There is little medical reason to do so.

I mentioned gonorrhea, chlmydia and NGU becasue those are the ones that easiest to transmit.  Herpes, HIV and other STDs much less so.

EWH

[czech001]

You mentioned in your reply:

"You had a single oral and a single vaginal exposure to a CSW"

i did state this was with a CONDOM ON - both cases. I've noted on other posts you have advise of the people in my scenario that the chances of STD are zero(or close to).

thanks again for any further advice. i'm worried out of my mind..

[czech001]

Thanks for your prompt response. Just following up why have you singled out chlamydia and gonorrhea and not herpes and other stds? Are these easier to catch than other STDs or is it just that they can be tested for straightaway.  I've read alot about herpes on this forum you did not mention that as a risk.

I also forgot to mention that i was masterbated without a condom after sex. i am also circumsized if that changes any prognosis/risk level?

Again thanks for you expert advice on this.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Ok, you made a mistake your wished you hadn't.  Let;s assess your risk and figure out what to do about it.

Your risk.  You had a single oral and a single vaginal expsoure to a CSW.  Could you get an STD- yes.  Is it likely you did? - no.  Most CSWs do not have STDs (bad for business) and most exposures to infected partners don not lead to infection.  nonetheless, both for your own piece of mind and becasue there is still a chance that your CSW partner had an STD, you should get tested.

So now we need to think about when and what for.
When- any time beyond 48 hours after exposure will yield reliable tests for the STDs you should be most concerned about - chlamydia, gonorrhea, and nongonococcal urethritis.  These tests would most often be swab tests from sites of exposure, irrespective of whether there are symptoms or not.   As for syphilis and HIV, they are each far less likely that the others so you have much less to worry about there.  If you wish to test for them, a blood test for syphilis at about 3-4 weeks post exposure and an HIV blood test at about 8 weeks will give you information that you can count on.

As for resumption of sex with your regular partner- once the tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia and nongonococcal urethritis are back , I would be comfortable in returning to regular sexual relations with your regular partner.  hope this helps.  EWH