Protected sex - question

[stupidguy1]

Hello doc- had protected oral and protected vaginal sex with a CSW on Dec. 7, which I deeply regret and feel guilty about.  She put on the condom and it didn't break as far as I could tell - it is my understanding that I would know if it broke.  Sex lasted 5 minutes or so, I felt disgusted and left to take a shower.

On Dec. 20, I flew to Europe.  On Dec. 21, and lasting for roughly 24 hours, I had diarrhea and loss of appetite, which have stopped completely.  No fever (have been between 36 and 37 celsius - am in Europe so on the Celsius system), no rash, no swollen lymph nodes as far as I can tell, no sore throat and no headache.

On December 22, I developed a canker sore on the inside of my lower lip.  And also found a tiny patch of red skin on my outer/upper groin about 2 inches away from the base of my penis in both directions.  No burning while urinating or any discharge, nothing unusual on the penis or scrotum.  Just the tiny patch of red skin, which doesn't look like any STD I've seen pictures of.  Since finding the patch, I have been experiencing a burning sensation in my groin/thigh area.  I have no idea if this "pain" is my anxiety getting the best of me, and I have been VERY anxious over this.

I assume that between the condom and the lack of symptoms, I needn't worry about HIV?  I am chalking the diarrhea up to a stomach bug or the bad airplane food.  I just don't know what to think about the canker sore and the red patch on the groin, and what could explain those.

Many thanks and happy holidays.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Certainly psoriasis or any other skin condition (fungal, atopic dermatitis, etc) could account for your rash.  I would not worry about it. EWH

[stupidguy1]

Very helpful.  Just one follow up regarding the tiny (and I mean maybe a quarter-inch in diameter, though irregularly shaped) patch of red skin in the groin that appeared yesterday.  Any thoughts - any chance this is an STI, or just chafing or irritation that my anxiety is blowing up into a bigger issue?  Is inverse psoriasis ever that small? Only asking because I have a bit of psoriasis on my elbows.  I understand if this last query regarding psoriasis is more appropriate for a dermatologist.

I will have no further follow ups.  All the best and happy holidays.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be happy to comment, agreeing entirely with your assessment of the situation.  Condom protected sex is safe sex and as you point out, between your condom use and the fact that you have not developed symptoms you can be confident that you are not at risk for HIV (or other STIs) from the exposures that you describe.  Your canker sore, self-limited diarrhea and loss of appetite are far more likely to reflect the rigors of travel than any STI.

i would not worry further about HIV or STI related to the exposure you describe.  I see no medical need for testing.

I hope these comments are helpful to you. EWH