risk of STD

[rick_toronto]

(Sorry, I posted this in the members forum before I realized there was this expert forum -- so I am posting again here. I also posted a question in a response to an earlier message -- which I guess isn't proper... sorry.)

A few weeks ago I had unprotected oral sex with woman at a massage parlour. This included me licking the outside of her clitoral area (my tongue didn't penetrate her vagina), and some light licking on the outside of her anus (again, my tongue didn't penetrate her anus). It lasted about 90 seconds in total before I stopped, since I wasn't comfortable with what I had started. She then performed oral sex on me for about 20 seconds, and again I stopped her. I have known her for some time (she has always just given me a hand release), and she is immaculately clean. She had a shower right in the room before we started our session. There was no blood or feces -- again she had just washed very carefully. Also, I have good oral hygiene - no open sores, etc. No symptoms at this point except a very dry mouth - but I take this to be stress.

It is the first time I have done this, and I am stressed out. What is my transmission risk for various STDs? What should I get tested for? I have read, for example, that chlamydia isn't passed orally, yet I read elsewhere that it is an extremely common STD -- how are all these people getting it? What about Gonorrea? Would I have symptoms for this right away? Also worried about my wife catching it. Would she have symptoms? What would they be?

Thanks in advance.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your risk is very, very low, either from her when she performed oral sex on you or for a throat infection when you were performing oral sex on her.  No lesions, virtually no risk of herpes or syphilis.  That brings us to your risk of getting gonorrhea, chlamydia and NGU.  You are correct that chlamydia is virtually never found in the throat, thus no risk.  As for gonorrhea, licking is low risk without insertion of your tongue.  She could have given you NGU when she performed oral sex on you but again, if you have no discharge or symptoms, you need not worry about this either.  Finally, HIV risk-essentially zero.

All of these comments are based on what we know about cunnilingus in your case and your risk is lower than most given the fact that your tongue remained outside her.  Finally, you mention that she seems unlikely to have an STD--I agree-most people do not have STDs and your report seems to vouch for that.  This reduces your risk still further.  

My advice--nothing to worry about, no need for testing, time to move on.  Hope this helps.  EWH

[rick_toronto]

Thanks for your quick response. However, I am still worried regarding chlamydia, gonorrhea and NGU. I spoke to the STD hotline in my area today, and they noted that chlamydia and gonorrhea typically clear themselves in 12 weeks, and that if they HAVEN'T cleared themselves in that time, then you would definitely be experiencing symptoms. I ask this because I keep reading about them being 'silent' diseases that can (for example) render a woman sterile without you knowing. Is this correct? How often does the effect get this bad in a woman? Is it a rare thing, or more like every woman that gets untreated chlamydia or gon will have these terrible effects. Finally, would this easily show up in a pap smear or inspection by a gynocologist? My wife is undergoing fertility treatment (it's been a hard year, we have already lost a child) and I am worried something will pop up that could further harm our relationship at this fragile time. Obviously in the mean time I have learned my lesson.

Sorry for so many questions. Your help is appreciated  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Are you concerned about yourself or your wife?  You can find just about anything you want to on various web sites and hot lines.  If you want to believe them, do so.  If you think our site is the most likely source of correct information, then stop searching for an answer that you like better.  I am not trying to be harsh here.  Giving you mis-information does not benefit me in any way.  You asked, I gave you my thoughts.

Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can occur in both men and women without symptoms.  As to how long they can persist in this way (asymptomatically)--they do cure themselves over time.  How long is highly variable and cannot be studied.

As far as your questions are concerned:
Gonorrhea- you could have gotten it if your partner had it. How likely--not very, even if she was infected and you said she was immaculately clean.  Fact is, most CSWs do not have STDs

Chlamydia.  Chance that you got it--near zero whether she had it or not.  Chlamydia is just not seen in the throat.  

NGU.  This is a penile process that you would have to get from her throat.  If you got it, there is no evidence that it causes harm to partners.

As for her.  You odds of transmitted gonorrhea (the only disease of concern) to her if you got it, which you did not, are again, miniscule.

So, it she likely to be diagnosed with an STD that you got and gave to her through the encounter you describe- emphatically NO!!

Your risk of being found out because you transmit something to your wife acquired from the encounter you describe approaches zero.

EWH

[rick_toronto]

Thanks for your help. I did find your site to be by far the most helpful resource out there -- I made some phone calls and checked other sites in a somewhat obsessive manner due to fear/worry. But you're right -- in the end, relying on a consistent expert's advice is much more useful than randomly chasing after things that may make you feel better.

Regards.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thank you.  Hope all turns out well for you and your wife.  EWH