Tingling Sensation after Unprotected Oral Sex

[josejose1357]

Hi Doctor,

I had received an unprotected oral sex followed by protected intercourse a WEEK before from an escort. Ever since this incident I get periodical tingling/burning sensation at the very tip of my penis.

There is no pain, no discharge, and no visible marks or anything. Only tingling/burning sensation that comes and goes and its been a week already.

1) What do these symptoms look like, NGU ?
2) How long do I wait before I can rule out Gonorhea or Herpes ?
2) Can I be certain I dont have any other STD ?
3) What tests would you recommend me having ? And can I go and have them now ?

Also, I beleive from existing posts I can rule out HIV here. Correct ?

Thanks


From existing threads it seems HIV is not of any concern here.

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. Your risk for an STD from oral sex is low.  Oral sex is an inefficient way to transmit STDs.  Of the bacterial STDs only gonorrhea and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) are transmitted through oral sex; chlamydia is not and without an obvious sore or lesion on your partner’s mouth, the chances of syphilis and herpes is likewise tiny.   There is no risk for HIV.  The symptoms you describe could be a function of NGU or anxiety but are not suggestive of herpes.  My advice would be to seek evaluation.  The health care provider should take a swab from your penis or evaluate a urine specimen collected at the beginning of urination for increased white blood cells.  If this is present, it suggests NGU.  If the tests are negative, be confident that you do not have an STD.  

I hope these comments are helpful.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I agree, no need for further testing.   You are fine.  EWH

[josejose1357]

Hi Dr. Hook,

Last post from my side.

Gonnorhea, Chlaymadia & HIV tests came back negative.

1) I am NOT planning for any more tests (e.g Syphilis etc).

2) Also, I am not planning to test again for STD's or STI's in future now (unlike HIV which for mental peace I will test again after 4 months).

Is this cool ?

Thanks a lot!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, I think that when your tests come back negative you can move forward without worry.  Sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned.  This in turn leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times.  I suspect this was a contributor to your situation.  Take care. EWH

[josejose1357]

Ok I visited the Urologist today and he looked at my urine sample and told it looks perfectly healthy. Also, the tingling/burning sensation disappeared after a week. So, I think it may have to do with skin irritation.
My gonorrhea and chlaymadia results will come on Wednesday and I think it should be negative given I had no symptoms.
I also gave blood for HIV testing just to see how it looks but its too soon I guess to know.

Is there anything else that I need to test for or worry about ?

Appreciate your advice in this matter !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm sorry to hear that your clinic is uninformed in this way.  This however is a good reminder of the importance of asking your health care providers about your questions.  you often learn a lot by their responses.  EWH

[josejose1357]

Clinic says there is no such test for NGU. They told if Gonorhea and Chalymadia is negative and if I dont have any NGU symptoms I should not have to worry. I told them look for presence of white blood cells in the sample and they  gave me a blank look.

But I totally agree with what you say and so do most of the forums online.

I have an appointment with a Urologist on Monday. I will discuss with him in detail and make sure he does diagnosis for NGU.

Thanks a lot !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

NGU can be diagnosed with either a urine specimen or a swab. You just need to be sure that the doctor ordered the test, looking for the presence of white blood cells.  EWH

[josejose1357]

I just went for the tests. They took urine sample and told me results will come in a week.

Is this method (urine sample) an accurate way to detect NGU,  I was reading some clinics do swab testing?

Thanks a lot !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The symptoms could worsen, if they represent infection, or they could stay the same.  

Taking antibiotics could partially treat an infection and may make interpretation of your test results more difficult.  I would not take antibiotics if you really want to know if you are infected or not.  EWH

[josejose1357]

I got an appoitment after 5 days. Will the infection (if exists) increase until then ? I cannot get any appoitment right away with a urologist.

Should I go ahead and take any antibiotics until then ?

Thanks a lot !

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No need to wait. You can have an accurate NGU and for gonorrhea as soon as 3 days following exposure even though symptoms may not be present of may be mild.  (Tests are positive before and/or in the absence of symptoms).  EWH

[josejose1357]

Thanks Doctor Hook.

So, going for a Test after a week now is good enough to get an accurate result or should I wait a little longer ?

Also, can I rule out gonorrhea at this point ? Or is it too early to tell ?

Thanks a lot !