Chance of Exposure

[Xtreme]

Hello Doctor,

What are my chances of acquiring an STD from the following circumstance? I had PROTECTED vagainal sex. When I ejaculated, I pulled out (condom was intact) and somewhat massaged the covered penis over her pubic hair region for a few seconds (maybe 5 seconds, I think no more than 10). Here is the situation: My uncovered scrotum, testicle area seemed to have slightly contacted/brushed on her vaginal area for a few seconds while my covered penis was over her pubic hair area (slight skin to skin). The other problem is, I had a slight scrape/cut on the bottom of my scrotum area (long story). From this type of exposure, do I have a realistic risk of contacting something like herpes or any other STD? I am concerned because however slight, I think there may have been a brief direct skin to skin contact, and because I had a slight scrape/cut on my scrotum which may have briefly brushed the outer vaginal region (not sure if that would even make a difference). Would any skin to skin contact, no matter how brief, be a substantial risk (obviously here being a few seconds) for something like herpes (or other std), does transmission for something like herpes (or other std) usually involve a more 'vigorous rubbing' (here there was only a possible slight skin to skin contact for a few seconds - no vigorous rubbing) and would the small scrape which MAY have slightly briefly brushed the vaginal region area increase any type of risk?

Thank you.    

[Xtreme]

Thank you Dr. Handsfield. I guess these questions were more for peace of mind. I try to be as careful as possible. I know this and other exposures may seem trivial to you. But as I am sure you can tell from this forum, many people are genuinely scared over what may seem like trivial things because when put in the situation, you can tend to think of the 'worst case scenario'.

Thanks again!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You are correct that transmission of STDs by skin-to-skin contact (herpes, HPV, syphilis) is more efficient when there is significant rubbing of the surfaces together, and is much less from brief contact.  In theory, a wound on the scrotum or other exposed surface might increase the risk, but still it must be very low.  Of course tehre are no data on this, but I see no significant risk here and would not worry about it.

Over the past 2-3 years, you have asked several questions on this or the STD community forum (and perhaps others) about trivially risky events, not unlike this one.  You need to gain some perspective.  Obviously you are sexually active outside a monogamous relationship, but apparently you follow normal safe sex practices, like condom use.  Keep that up, but otherwise don't worry about it.  To be maximally safe, get routine standard STD testing once a year, however.  But there isn't much point in asking advice on this or other forums about such minor risk events.

HHH, MD