Just Worried

[Saramago]

On March 31st, almost 3 weeks ago, I had an encounter with another man. I have only been with one person my whole life before this and so I know I was clean going in.

He gave me unprotected oral sex until I finished.  During this I only had his penis in my mouth for a split second, but I think I tasted ***. I did not doing anything else to him.

Before this encounter I asked if he was clean, he said yes, and a few days after this encounter I was very worried about it and I confronted him again and he swore he was clean, that he's been tested before, and that he hasn't been with anyone for about a month before. He isn't like a shady guy so I sort of believe him, but it's my nature to worry a lot.

I don't really have any symptoms, at least none that I know of. I have always had frequent headaches and been tired a lot, so these things aren't out of the usual. There are no signs or anything on my penis or around it.

The only things I have noticed since the incident is that my back has been itchy, or seems like it's itchy more often. And right now i have a cold sore under my tongue. It feels like a usual cold sore and I did have a small sore throat shortly before and after the incident, so I could very well just have a cold. But, I can't remember the last time I had a cold sore.  

I have had sex with my girlfriend since the incident, and the only thing she has mentioned is that she has a sore throat in the mornings after she wakes up. Again, probably cold related.

I have been stressing about this a lot, so that might be the reason I'm getting more headaches.

I'm sure I'm just over-worrying and there isn't anything wrong, but I'd like some opinions.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

A sore inside the mouth isn't a cold sore.  Probably a canker sore, not related to cold sores, which are oral herpes.  Cold sores only occur outside the mouth, usually on or near the lips.  In any case, not likely due to an STD.

Whenever someone feels his or her own symptoms are due to anxiety or other emotion, usually s/he is correct.  So your last sentence sounds right.

See a health care provider in person if you remain concerned.  But there is no need.  You came here for reassurance and I gave it.  Accept it or not, I don't care; but don't try to talk me out of it.

I won't have any further comments.

[Saramago]

Thank you for the reply. So a small Cold Sore on the bottom of my tongue is not a symptom of any STD?

If I got anything  I would be showing some kind of symptoms by now, right?

Thank you again for the reply, I'm sure I'm stressing myself into feeling like I have symptoms.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your closing comment says it all:  "I'm sure I'm just over-worrying and there isn't anything wrong."  I agree.  It isn't possible to say the event was totally risk free.  But in general oral sex is safe sex, and people don't usually lie about their STD/HIV infection status when asked directly.  All things considered, the risk of any disease transmission was zero and can be disregarded.  Your symptoms are not those of any STD.  You do not need testing.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD