Many months post-exposure

[wondering77829]

Hello Doctor,

20 months ago, I had protected oral sex and protected vaginal sex with a CSW. I didn't check the condom when she removed it, but it is my understanding that condom failure is really noticeable, and mine appeared intact when I looked at it.

I faced a lot of guilt over this, but never got symptoms of anything.  I understand that my only risks were HPV, HSV, and Syphilis, but I still took an oraquick home test for HIV three months ago and it was negative.  After all this time, and after not seeing symptoms of any kind, do I have to really worry about herpes or syphilis?  I know I may have HPV but that it cant be tested for in men.  I never saw an outbreak or a chancre.

I'm starting a new relationship, and I just want to make sure that I wouldn't put her at risk. The encounter described is the last time I had sex as I learned that engaging in such behavior is not for me and I wish to pursue monogamy.

I have scanned the forum, and it seems like the risk for both syphilis and HSV2 are so low that often times testing is not even recommended and that there's a higher risk for a false positive result for herpes than actually acquiring the infection from this exposure.

Would you recommend I get tested?  Would you recommend I test for anything else?

Thank you in advance for your candid advice.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm pleased my comment was helpful.  EWH

[wondering77829]

Thank you Doctor Hook. I appreciate your comment and it is most definitely helpful.

I did anticipate your answer but still thought I would ask, especially when it comes to herpes and syphilis, which I never tested for.

Thanks again.  I will put this event behind me and move on without any worries.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be pleased to address your questions.  The bottom line is that there is no reason whatsoever for you to continue to worry about your risk for STD.  I am sure that, as a reader of other posts on or Forum, you have heard what I am about to say:

1.  Most people do not have STIs or HIV, most exposures to infected persons do not lead to transmission of infection, and, most importantly, condom prevent transmission of nearly all STIs.

2.  Your condom did not fail.  As your point out, if it had failed, it would have broken wide open. Yours did not,  Believe in your condoms.

There is really no reason for concern and no need for additional testing.    I hope that this comment is helpful to you.  EWH