Sore tongue/ARS

[zwjwc]

I have found answers to questions which were very close to mine, but not exactly.    

I received unprotected oral sex/hand job from a stripper at a batchelor party.  Very vigorous to the point that I was sore for days afterward.  No cuts, abrasions, etc. that I remember, but the skin around the shaft of my penis definitely felt raw the next day.  

I didn't experience the obvious symptoms of painful urination or discharge, but there was discomfort in my urethra and I felt a frequent urge to urinate.  The act of urinating did not hurt, in fact it seemed to relieve the discomfort, but afterwards there was a slight burning sensation which remained day after day.  I also experienced pain in my testicles and they seemed swollen.  After about 2 weeks I also started to have mild pain on my tongue.

I kept telling myself that these 'symptoms' were imagined, but finally I realized that they were occupying my mind almost all of the time and I had to do something about it.  So after 12 days, I received a battery of tests from the health dept.  Gon, clamydia, trich, syphillis, Hepatitis B,C, HIV, Herpes 1-2.  All negative, but the symptoms persisted.  

At that point, I told my wife (painful), visited my PCP, and he prescribed Doxy.  We finished the course and my genitals feel fine.

But I continue to experience discomfort on my tongue.  There is a slight burning sensation which seems to move around from day to day.  Also, there are times when it seems very dry around the edges and towards the back.  Because of this, I got tested at 45 days for HIV.  Negative.

Questions -

1) I know from searching the forum that the majority opinion is that HIV cannot be transmitted by oral sex.  Is that changed at all by the fact that the act was vigorous?

2) Are these type of tongue symptoms related to ARS or not?  If not, what could they be?  They definitely began with this incident.

3) Could the tongue symptoms be associated with the original NGU?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are correct. The risk for syphilis or hepatitis B is very, very low and really not something to be concerned about.  Herpes on the otehr hand is more common but it one is attuned to looking for symptoms as you are and none develop within 4-10 days of exposure there is really not much to worry about and I would not recommend testing.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  While you may be correct that there are not posts on the site identical to yours, there are numerous posts with  similar themes.  As you know from reading them, your risk for getting HIV from oral sex is effectively zero and that it was "vigorous" does not change that in any way.  In addition, I will point out that you had symptoms but, unless you neglected to mention it, there was no objective evidence that you had any STD- NGU or otherwise.  Now, let's address your specific questions:

1.  See above.  That the oral sex was performed vigorously does not affect your risk.  It is still effectively zero.
2.  No, tongue symptoms of the type you mention do not suggest ARS in the least.  As you no doubt know from having read other posts, we tell clients on a daily basis that to try to judge HIV risk using symptoms is a waste of time.  We have NEVER said otherwise and would not say it to you.
3.  Unlikely.  On the other hand, you might have gotten thrush ( a yeast infection) from the doxycycline you took.  If so, this is not an STD and not a sign of HIV. Ask your doctor to take a look.

Finally, believe your tests.  You were not at risk for HIV to start with.  The 6 week HIV test you took effectively proves that you were not the first person to get HIV from oral sex.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to hear of your results.  And thanks for the comment. Take care.  EWH

[zwjwc]

Update: Don't take this the wrong way.  I am not ignoring your advice.  I think we all know that anyone that gets to the point of posting on this forum is going to test.  The difference is what kind of mental condition you will be in.  For me, things were much easier after your response.  Thank you.

Week 9: HSV 1/2, syphilis, chlamydia, trich -- negative as expected
Week 12: HIV 1/2 -- negative as expected

I finally feel relaxed and am enjoying life again.

Couple of interesting things --
My health dept. would not test for HSV.  The nurses explanation was that it was too expensive of a test.  They also wouldn't test for NGU.  No explanation.  

My PCP tested me for HSV even though I could tell it was against his best judgement and he was only doing it to placate me.  He didn't seem to know how to test for NGU.  He just prescribed Doxy based upon symptoms.  Pretty weak ones too as you noted earlier.  I'm not sure that I had anything.

My tongue (and mouth too now) continue with the mild burning sensation.  Is there any STD that can cause this type of symptom?  By the way, it began before the antibiotic.

Last thing -- I have noticed that several posters ask for Dr. Handsfield specifically.  I haven't seen a post which referenced you in the same way.  Seems strange.  It is definitely not based upon your responses or expertise.  My conclusion is that it must be the picture that was chosen.  HH is outdoors and casually dressed.  You are wearing a tie in a formal picture.  I think it makes you seem less approachable.  lol.

[zwjwc]

I have researched more and have another question.  It is not HIV related, but I don't know the protocol as far as opening another thread or adding to this one.  I hope it is OK.

Your response about HIV helped my mental condition immensely.  Thank you.  

With that worry removed, I have been thinking about the validity of my initial testing for other diseases.  I have rechecked the dates and the testing was performed at 10 days.  Do the tests have any meaning that early?  The general tenor that I get reading this site is one of non-concern after this type of exposure with no symptoms.  By symptoms I mean Herpes, syphilis, or hepatitis B.  But I would like to hear your advice.