If indeed the clothing layer was present, there was no risk.
Thanks for the thanks.
The HPV cure report is in a high quality peer-reviewed journal, which suggests it is scientifically valid. But I'm not qualified to make that judgment myself; the science is very sophisticated. Assuming it's valid, the report is more value for its contribution to basic understanding of HIV and the immune system, but I'm inclined to doubt this approach will be clinically useful for very many infected people. But who knows what the future of stem cell science and therapy will bring?
Thank you very much for your feedback. I'm almost 100% positive that there was at least one layer of undergarment between us at all times, but as you can imagine, paranoia tends to make you think of worst case scenarios.
Congrats on your award this year and if you've had any written response to the recent press release concerning the first person to be cured of HIV with stem cell research, I'd be interested to hear your take if you have a link.
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for researching similar questions before asking your own. And thanks for the thanks in advance.
Your implied self-assessment is correct: this exposure carried little or no risk for STD. If there was some genital-genital contact (I stress IF), then there could have been some small risk for the STDs transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, i.e. herpes, HPV, or syphilis. But even these are rarely transmitted without actual penetration. And there is definitely no risk for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis, or other infections passed primarily through genital fluids.
I can't say whether the chance of STDs is any higher with CSWs in Mexico vs. North America. Assuming her profession entails some exposures more risky than the one you had, she probably is at high risk. But it's really impossible to predict the chance any particular person is infected at any particular time.
No distant forum moderator can guarantee that you aren't infected. But if I were in your situation, I would not feel a need to be tested for any STD and would continue unprotected sex with my wife with no fear of infecting her. But if you need more reassurance than this, you could see your primary care provider or your local health department STD clinic and then follow their advice about testing.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD