STD Concerns

[Steve1972]

Hi DR

The general forums have been very informative and helpful regarding calming nerves, however I was interested in your medical opinion.

I had sex in an establishment; it was protected (condom protected oral and vaginal); there was deep kissing.   No complications; condom in-tact + girl and establishment very specific about safe-sex including physical check prior to any action.

I did note the following day that I had some split skin on my hands and fingers (keep dry skin splits) - Teak in the support forum said that provided there is no "active running blood" it is safe - can I confirm this first?

Do you think I am okay for STD's?   I was very worried earlier about HIV - but Teak was very informative about the virtually zero chance of tranmission (per the splits above).

I read that some can transmit via skin-skin (herpes) - just trying to determine my risk levels given the above detail.

If a person has HSV-2 and isn't having legions or phsyical outbreaks what is the chances when protected (assuming for a moment they are hsv-2 +ve?)  

My understanding is that it is illegal for a sex worker to work with a transmittable STD (knowingly) - they are tested every 12 wks  by law.

thanks your expert opinion - am I safe to continue having sex with my gf (we don't use protection) - this event is once only with me nerves and anxiety will never allow it again.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You have had pretty much accurate advice in your several posts of the same questions on the HIV and STD community forums over the past couple of days.  I have little to add to those responses.  A few quick replies:

Condom-protected sex markedly reduces the risk for all STDs, including herpes -- both with and without overt herpes lesions in the infected person.

Cuts on the hands are not an issue, except possibly if there are perticularly deep, large, or bloody injuries -- and such events have rarely actually been documented as actual transmission risks.

There might be some places in the world where it "illegal" for a CSW to have sex with a known STD, or that requires HIV testing.  But not in most industrialized countries.  In any case, any such laws are meaningless and unenforceable.

From what you say, there is little likelihood you caught an  STD, and most likely it is safe for you to have sex with your regular partner.  But I never guarantee someone isn't infected.  

Best wishes---  HHH, MD

[Steve1972]

Many thanks Doc

That's the only issue that stays in my mind - that small but unlikely possiblity of an issue however small.

I mentioned in another post that I think I've manifested some symptoms of issues - I think mainly due to anxiety caused by the event - does this happen often?  (at the moment my inner thighs get hot easily - but there isn't any phsyical signs of any rash or reaction.

Time to move on do you think?

[Steve1972]

One last item.

The week following the event about 4-5 days after I got a flu (sore joints, tired, stiff neck) - no sore throat.  I was initially worried it was a HIV related thing but realise that it was too soon.

Could it have been a reaction to another virus at that early stage?

there is much flu around at the moment, a few poeple at work have been sick with something that seems possibly the same type of issue.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your symptom don't suggest any STD.  Some of them are typical for anxiety -- and as I have said innumerable times on this forum, when a person suspects his or her own symptoms have a psychological origin, s/he usally is correct.

I don't have anything more to offer.  Best wishes.