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Brief unprotected oral sex encounter with prostitute
Yesterday I received brief oral sex from a prostitute. She seemed clean (no visible outbreaks) and the oral sex was quite subtle (no rough) and probably only lasted for about 30seconds or a minute. after that we used a condom.
What is my HIV risk for this (I assume very low) but more importantly should I be concerned about having gotten any other stds and is it sensible to get tested? I am in a relationship.
For such a brief and subtle encounter how likely is it that I got anything from her? Obviously I dont know if she had anything, but lets assume the worst and say she had it all, what are my chances of getting it if it only lasted for a minute and was really subtle?
- is there a point in getting tested today? or do i need to wait for it to be a sensible result? Should I go now and again later to be sure?
- Is it sensible to take an antibiotic such as ciproflaxcin or other right now as a precaution? If not, why not?
What is my HIV risk for this (I assume very low) but more importantly should I be concerned about having gotten any other stds and is it sensible to get tested? I am in a relationship.
For such a brief and subtle encounter how likely is it that I got anything from her? Obviously I dont know if she had anything, but lets assume the worst and say she had it all, what are my chances of getting it if it only lasted for a minute and was really subtle?
- is there a point in getting tested today? or do i need to wait for it to be a sensible result? Should I go now and again later to be sure?
- Is it sensible to take an antibiotic such as ciproflaxcin or other right now as a precaution? If not, why not?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There are other discussions of this on the forum, but not for a while and this issue bears repeating from time to time. You are correct that many (most?) STD education sources say that oral sex is a risk for chlamydia. And once a few seemingly reliable sources (e.g., health departments, STD/GUM clinics, etc) start saying it, the notion tends to be perpetuated.
But the fact is that several research studies clearly show there is no statistical association of genital chlamydia with oral sex, and that chlamydia of the mouth and throat is rare, meaning that the mouth cannot be a source of genital infection.
Why the misinformation? Probably because there are so many parallels between chlamydia and gonorrhea. Both cause more or less identical symptoms (although chlamydia generally less severe) and both infections are indeed transmitted by both vaginal and anal sex. Thus, health educators tend to make the leap that the diseases are identical in all respects, which they are not. Gonorrhea is transmitted by oral sex but chlamydia is not.
Syphilis is very rare as a heterosexually transmitted STD in the US and other industrialized countries; when present, it is not frequently transmitted by oral sex; and primary syphilis of the penis usually causes an obvious sore (the chancre). Hence testing for asymptomatic infection really isn't needed in this situation.
But the fact is that several research studies clearly show there is no statistical association of genital chlamydia with oral sex, and that chlamydia of the mouth and throat is rare, meaning that the mouth cannot be a source of genital infection.
Why the misinformation? Probably because there are so many parallels between chlamydia and gonorrhea. Both cause more or less identical symptoms (although chlamydia generally less severe) and both infections are indeed transmitted by both vaginal and anal sex. Thus, health educators tend to make the leap that the diseases are identical in all respects, which they are not. Gonorrhea is transmitted by oral sex but chlamydia is not.
Syphilis is very rare as a heterosexually transmitted STD in the US and other industrialized countries; when present, it is not frequently transmitted by oral sex; and primary syphilis of the penis usually causes an obvious sore (the chancre). Hence testing for asymptomatic infection really isn't needed in this situation.
Sometimes I wonder if you guys know how much a reply like this can mean to somebody like me. I know I am being irrational, and I have read plenty of other threads regarding similar issues, but to read those calm, rational and easily understandible words is worth so much in a moment of personal and medical doubt. Thank you.
I will wait for a few days to see if any symptoms occur and get a test at the end of the week. I booked a business trip to avoid any complicated conversation with my partner, and hope that neither symptoms nor positive results will occur and that I can come back without risking her health which is my main concern. I cheated, that is a moral issue, but she should never pay for it with her health.
Just out of interest (I am really not panicking here) why is chlamydia not a risk? TV adds in the uk seem to suggest differnently (it is "on the rise amongst teenagers") and why are you not suggesting a herpes test aswell or a NGU ?
Syphilis I gather is so rare that you only put it on your list for correctness, not for practical use?
Thanks again.
I will wait for a few days to see if any symptoms occur and get a test at the end of the week. I booked a business trip to avoid any complicated conversation with my partner, and hope that neither symptoms nor positive results will occur and that I can come back without risking her health which is my main concern. I cheated, that is a moral issue, but she should never pay for it with her health.
Just out of interest (I am really not panicking here) why is chlamydia not a risk? TV adds in the uk seem to suggest differnently (it is "on the rise amongst teenagers") and why are you not suggesting a herpes test aswell or a NGU ?
Syphilis I gather is so rare that you only put it on your list for correctness, not for practical use?
Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
You are correct that oral sex carries little or no risk for HIV; some experts believe no such transmission ever occurs. And most sex workers don't have HIV.
The STDs possible from oral to genital transmission are gonorrhea; herpes due to HSV-1; perhaps nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), which sometimes may be caused by entirely normal oral bacteria; and syphilis. There are no risks for chlamydia, HPV, HSV-2, hepatitis, or any other STD. Even for the ones that could cause risk, there are really no serious worries. All possibilities are rare and all would pretty much always cause obvious symptoms; and syphilis would be vanishingly rare in this situation. In the absence of symptoms -- i.e., abnormal penile discharge or sores of the penis -- you really don't need testing after this sort of event. It is not reasonable to take any antibiotic, especially cipro, which is not reliable against any of the conditions I listed.
But if you insist on testing for peace of mind, wait 3-4 days and have a urine gonorrhea test. There is no point in any other testing after this sort of event. If I were in your situation, knowing what I know, I would not get tested for anything and if I had no symptoms within a week I would continue unprotected sex with my wife, with no fears.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are correct that oral sex carries little or no risk for HIV; some experts believe no such transmission ever occurs. And most sex workers don't have HIV.
The STDs possible from oral to genital transmission are gonorrhea; herpes due to HSV-1; perhaps nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), which sometimes may be caused by entirely normal oral bacteria; and syphilis. There are no risks for chlamydia, HPV, HSV-2, hepatitis, or any other STD. Even for the ones that could cause risk, there are really no serious worries. All possibilities are rare and all would pretty much always cause obvious symptoms; and syphilis would be vanishingly rare in this situation. In the absence of symptoms -- i.e., abnormal penile discharge or sores of the penis -- you really don't need testing after this sort of event. It is not reasonable to take any antibiotic, especially cipro, which is not reliable against any of the conditions I listed.
But if you insist on testing for peace of mind, wait 3-4 days and have a urine gonorrhea test. There is no point in any other testing after this sort of event. If I were in your situation, knowing what I know, I would not get tested for anything and if I had no symptoms within a week I would continue unprotected sex with my wife, with no fears.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
