Possible exposure; cluster of spots

[jsj705]

Hi all i am a 20 yrs male,

Firstly, i like to say how incredibly informative and help this site is and hopefully will continue to be for the legions of worried people out there like me.

My situation is that, stupidly, i have engaged in sexual activity with a number of CSW's. (about 10 different ones, about 3 have been visited on more than one occasion)

**forgive the graphic nature of any part of my following explanation, i speak frankly only to make everything clear **

-I have slept with 4, all protected, usually ending with a handjob without a condom. The remaining 6 performed
  protected oral (one ended with ejaculation in her mouth, with her lips barely touching my penis for about 3 secs).
-My first encounter was in March and my most recent (hopefully if my brain has anything to do with it), my last
  being this month.
-No kissing involved.
-Mild fingering (rubbing with one or two for only a couple of moments)
-All may have touched their vaginas before touching my penis

Out of all the the workers i have been with i, i was visibly concerned with one. I noticed she had a small rash on other side of her elbow (top side). This rash consisted of only two spots VERY close together (almost seeming as if they split apart), which i believe i may have touched (Molluscum Contagiosum?)
.  After having sex with over half of the totally i noticed a small cluster of spots (a very small group of around 10 spots. around my lower stomach, only slightly raised, similar to mild goose bumps). They seemed so insignificant that i didn't take much notice to them, the last thing i thought it would be is an std considering i have used protection for every visit to a CSW. I continued to make visits (including the one where however small, mouth-penis contact was made).  Since my last visit these clusters have appeared on my forearms and lower face (in some parts one spot each with a quite some distance part), legs, top of my chest and my penis. These groups/clusters spaced widely apart form each other and you wouldn't be able to tell unless you inspected very closely.

As you could have predicted, my mind has gone rife with what i may have acquired. This whole situation has been on my mind since my first encounter whether it be the feeling of guilt or fear. I'm pretty sure i am  suffering from depression and have been for the past couple of years. I'm quite the recluse and find being alone far more comforting than interacting socially. Hence my thoughts are all i have to keep me company and when all you think about is the prospect of catching an std, it gets hard to carry on. I have retrospectively looked at different ailments as possible infections:
  
   - a small abrasion on my gums which healed within a week as a chancre  
   - a small bump in my groin area (lasted no more than 2 days)
   etc
   -slight dry tongue for a week or so.

I have read up on alot of potential std's i may have been exposed to and i'm very concerned with HPV and Herpes
to mention a few because they're transmitted by skin to skin contact even with a condom. T he general public has a high infection rate of HPV so you can imagine the odds for CSW so i cant imagine i got off scot free.

I would like to know what my symptoms might indicate, what infections i should and should not be concerned with, how likely is it that i may have caught some thing. Any input is appreciated (of course i would like the online docs point of view on this - do i have to pay for this privilege as i am willing to?) . I plan to go to a clinic so any information provided will come along with me and will be very useful.

Thanks for your time.

[Emma_08]

First, I'm sorry to hear about your depression - are you getting help for that?  Depression can be so painful and can make situations like this a hundred times worse.

Now, to your questions.  While you probably have been exposed to HPV at some point (I think roughly 85% of sexually active people are), your symptoms do not suggest it.  No STD would cause bumps all over your body like this.  You should see a dermatologist to get that checked out, but I do not believe it is related to your CSW experiences.

You had condom protected sex, so your risk of acquiring STD is low.  STDs that are acquired through skin-to-skin contact, such as HPV and HSV (herpes simplex virus) are more likely, but unless you notice genital warts or blisters/sores, I wouldn't worry about it.  Oral sex is low risk and is even safer since it was protected.

If it will ease your mind, you could always get tested.  There is no HPV test for me and a herpes viral culture can only be done if you have visible lesions.  A blood test can be done but it can take up to 4 months from exposure to become positive.  

Hope this helps.

Best,
Em  

[scared_half_to_death]

I agree with Emma on her assessment.

1. Since you are sexually active with multiple partners, get tested at least once per year. Now is a good time for a full work up including Herpes (which may take 4 months and in a few cases 6 months to show up on the tests).

2. Get help for your depression. That help can come in several forms. Lots of people have depression.
- A therapist
- A book
- Exercise
- A good TV series on DVD

Good luck. Depression sounds like the right condition to focus on more so than STD concerns.

[jsj705]

Thanks for both of your replies, its much appreciated. I have since gone to a clinic and the can't determine what the rashes are symptoms of. I took a blood test (awaiting the results) and got a shot for hep B; two needles in one day was more than enough! If feels like a some weight has been taken off but the fear possible hiv infection is quite alot too take. In the light of my situation above it might be unlikely but the clinic workers have left me abit worried. My logical mind tells me they were taking this blood test (with a stress on testing for hiv) as part of the normal process of elimination. However the "worried" part of my mind is telling me even with protection there are instances were i may have been at risk. I have read through the archives on this site and, whilst comparing it to my situation,i can gauge what kind of reply from the an online doc on this site. But it still leaves me recapping this whole situation over and over. But again, thanks for all the comments on this post, they definatley came in handy during my visit to the clinic.

[auntiejessi]

You had protected sex.  You can't get HIV from protected sex if the condoms were intact.

You also can't get it from receiving oral sex.

I hope this helps, and I hope you also get some help for the depression.

AJ