Aa
Unprotected Oral and Herpes Questions
A week ago I engaged in unprotected oral sex. The 22 yr old stripper sucked on the head of my penis a couple of times for about a minute each time. She also gave me a handjob with her saliva which is how I finally ejaculated. I also gave her oral sex, but only licked her clitoris. I did not see any sores or lesions on her mouth or genitals. She said that she did not have any sti/stds, although I worry a bit since it seems from the info out there that many people don’t know they have herpes when in fact they do. I don’t recall if I ever had cold sores as a kid or not so I’m not sure of my HSV-1 immunity.
1). What are the risks that I contracted an STI/STD?
2). Thus far after 7 days I do not have any apparent sores or lesions, or discharge, and I do not have burning during urination (although it feels a little sore after I pee sometimes, should I worry about this?). I notice on the postings that the time frame for herpes is 2-20 days, after a week is it less likely that I’ll exhibit symptoms or is it really fair game for about a month? I suppose nothing will put my mind at ease until a blood test, but I’m curious.
3). I’m still a bit unclear about the symptoms of herpes. I know you get lesions or sores, but do they come without any warning? Do I have redness first like a rash and then bumps appear, or do I just all of a sudden I have sores? I don’t want to get paranoid looking at every little discoloration and wrinkle on my penis thinking I have herpes, but what should I be keeping an eye out for. I don’t feel sites like ASHA are very explicit in their descriptions.
4.) I’ve noticed a dull pain in my penis near the head. Is this a symptom of an outbreak or is it more likely me being hyper-aware and from inspecting my penis regularly?
5.) I’ve had a cold the last few days, I assume these are not the “flu symptoms” that I’ve read about? No fever or anything. Would having a cold affect the timing of an outbreak?
Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes. Stop obsessing about herpes. This thread is over.
I assume the appearance of the herpes bump is pretty apparent then? Its not super small, but will definately appear as a raised red bump? Are they more common on the head or the shaft, or about the same?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're looking too closely and most likely noticing normal anatomy of your penile skin. But of course see a health care provider for reassurance if you aren't sure.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most likely your partner's STD history was accurate. Half the population has oral HSV-1 infection, but most don't know if and have no symptoms. The frequency of oral herpes is no higher in commercial sex workers or others with muttiple partners than in the general population, because in general it is not sexually acquired. To the specific questions:
1) Receiving oral sex in general is low risk for STDs, because oral STDs are uncommon compared to genital/anal ones. Performing oral sex is even lower risk.
2) If you don't develop symptoms like sores of the mouth or penis, sore throat, or discharge from the penis within the next 10 days, you can consider yourself home free and will not need testing. Herpes can take as long as 3 weeks to show up, but rarely.
3) Typically herpes lesions go from red bump to blister to open sore to scab to healing over a total of 10-15 days, with 1-3 days for each stage. You are correct that it is a mistake to be looking at every wrinkle on your penis. Your risk was too low to lose sleep about.
4,5) Whenver a person suggests his or her own symptoms have an emotional origin, usually s/he is correct. And indeed you have a cold. "Flu symptoms" do not mean stuffy nose etc, but fever, muscle aches, and feeling quite ill -- and they only occur in association with typical herpes symptoms, not all by themselves.
Oral sex is such low STD risk that if all anal and vaginal sex could be magically replaced by oral sex, most STDs would become extinct. Oral sex is not sufficiently effiecient a transmission route to maintain the infections in the poplulation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1) Receiving oral sex in general is low risk for STDs, because oral STDs are uncommon compared to genital/anal ones. Performing oral sex is even lower risk.
2) If you don't develop symptoms like sores of the mouth or penis, sore throat, or discharge from the penis within the next 10 days, you can consider yourself home free and will not need testing. Herpes can take as long as 3 weeks to show up, but rarely.
3) Typically herpes lesions go from red bump to blister to open sore to scab to healing over a total of 10-15 days, with 1-3 days for each stage. You are correct that it is a mistake to be looking at every wrinkle on your penis. Your risk was too low to lose sleep about.
4,5) Whenver a person suggests his or her own symptoms have an emotional origin, usually s/he is correct. And indeed you have a cold. "Flu symptoms" do not mean stuffy nose etc, but fever, muscle aches, and feeling quite ill -- and they only occur in association with typical herpes symptoms, not all by themselves.
Oral sex is such low STD risk that if all anal and vaginal sex could be magically replaced by oral sex, most STDs would become extinct. Oral sex is not sufficiently effiecient a transmission route to maintain the infections in the poplulation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Just one more add on. Looking at the head of my penis it seems like there are a few very small pinsize spots on the head of me penis that look a little more noticeable than the other wrinkling of my penis head, but they are not raised yet as far as I can tell. They are about the same color as the penis head maybe a little ligher. Should I be woried about these or am I just seeing bumps that are not really there?
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.
