how risky?

[jrtitan00]

Thank you for answering my question. I've been a monogamous relationship for a year and was tested for everything at the beginning of that relationship. I was STD free.

Last week, I stupidly went to an adult video store and hooked up with a guy (I know risky and senseless. I had never done that before, and never will again.) We engaged in some mutual hand stimulation - using spit as lubricant. And about 30 seconds of me giving him oral (no ejaculation or visible prec**) and him performing oral on me till I finished (not in his mouth). He said that he didn't have anything, but I did feel a little singular bump on his shaft. I should've stopped, but I didn't.

Anyway, I understand that hand to genital contact is pretty harmless. And I understand that the likelihood of getting HIV is minimal in that scenario. However, I could sure use your assurances of those things as well as a real assessment of what risks you think I'm actually facing. I am terrified and freaked out that a 30 second experimentation could wreck my life.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry, genital warts can be solitary or can appear as a cluster.  

More importantly for you however, gettng warts from performance of oral sex on an infected partner is rather unusual.  

There is no recommended test for HPV, particularly with respect to oral infection.

This really is not something for you to worry about as the risk is low and there is little you could do about it.  EWH

[jrtitan00]

Thank you Doctor. I appreciate the thorough response. If you'll allow me, one quick follow up question regarding the "bump." Am I correct in understanding that most genital warts appear in clusters?

I am hoping to alieve my concern that I am not going to get genital warts by (1) affirming my understanding above and/or (2) hearing that (as you said) exposure does not necessarily lead to infection. There's no way to test for the virus infection, correct? I am concerned about passing HPV along to my girlfriend and putting her at risk of cervical cancer.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  There is no risk of STD from mutual masturbation, this your only potential source of infection is giving and receiving oral sex.  You are correct, as risk for STDs go, the risk of getting an STD or HIV from oral sex is low.  For starters , please remember that most people are not infected and, even if they are, most exposures do not result in transmission of infection.  

With respect 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.

As far as your performance of oral sex on him, I have no idea what the "bump" you noted was and therefore have no comment.  The only common STD that you are really at risk for from performing oral sex is gonorrhea and as I said, that is unlikely.  You could get a throat swab for gonorrhea if you wish but I would predict it will be negative.

As for receipt of oral sex, oral sex is an inefficient way to acquire STDs.  Of the bacterial STDs only gonorrhea and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) are acquired 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).  As I said above, even if your partner had an STD (any STD and it is likely he did not), most exposures do not lead to infection.  In your case, your exposure was brief; I would urge you not to worry. If you must, you could go to your local STD clinic or health care provider to be tested at this time.  I predict the tests will be negative.


Hope this helps.  EWH