Your advice

[dezza72]

Hi doctor,

Be grateful if you could read my story and give me some advice.

In late 2007 I had vaginal sex, using a condom, and recieved oral from a female escort. 34 days later I decided to test for HIV & STD's, all results came back all clear/negative. I went to my gum clinic for these tests so unsure wether it was a HIV antibody test or a HIV Duo test.

After reading up about HIV & STD's I became fully aware of the risks etc, therefore I always check condoms after sex to make sure its not broken etc.

In 2008 I had protected vaginal sex with maybe 4 or 5 more escorts, plus a couple of one night stands with girls I met in bars/clubs etc. In August 2008 I recieved oral without a condom so I tested for Chlamydia and gonorrhea one week later and results came back all clear.

Now, last night I had protected vaginal sex with a female escort but recieved oral without a condom. I plan to get tested for Chlamydia & gonorrhea next week.

My question basically is, Is it worth getting a HIV test, or anything else, while I'm at the gum clinic next week or have I never been at risk?

Kind Regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have had a substantial number of exposures to a variety of somewhat high risk partners over the past two years.  Your risk of infection is low in that you appear to have always used a condoms for vaginal sex and that receipt of oral ex is very, very low risk for HIV.  Overall, I think your risk for any STD, including HIV is very low.  Still, your history qualifies you for periodic STD "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) because you have had multiple partners over a period of less than a year.  As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).  I would go on and get the HIV test and am confident that it will be negative.  There is little reason not to get tested.  Thanks for your questions.  EWH

[dezza72]

In August 2008 I recieved oral without a condom so I tested for Chlamydia and gonorrhea one week later and results came back all clear. I have recieved oral without protection only once since then so looks like I'll be ok. Thanks doctor.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

STDs, particularly nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) and gonorrhea can be transmitted by oral sex but oral sex is a much less efficient way for STD transmission to occur than through unprotected genital sex. It is time for this thread to end.  No further questions please.   EWH

[dezza72]

Thanks again doctor.

Is it common to catch STD's from receiving oral sex? or is it mainly through unprotected penetration?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

At 35 days (nearly 5 weeks) an HIV test would be expected to detect about 90% of all HIV infections acquired 34 days earlier.  In most situations, including yours, this is probably sufficient to be able to say with confidence that you do not have HIV.  EWH

[dezza72]

Hi again doctor,

I forgot to ask, back in late 2007 when I had the 34 day negative HIV test result – how reliable was that result?

[dezza72]

Thanks doctor