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New Years Mistake
The night of New years eve, I drunkenly took home a girl from the bar. Now I'm concerned with what my risks are for catching "something". I performed oral sex and then had unprotected vaginal sex for about 2 minutes before I realized the mistake i was making. I do not know her history, but I believe she has unprotected sex regularly. I did not notice any bumps on her, but i was pretty drunk. I am not concerned with previously having a STD what so ever. What are my risks of catching something, and what steps should I take with tests? I'm pretty worried and don't know how concerned I should be. As of today, no signs of any symptoms. Is this more risky than an "average" 28 year-old sex life? Should I think about getting tested, or just not worry about it? Mostly worried about herpes or HIV.
thanks doc. it's going to be a long 3 weeks. One thing i forgot to add, on the tip of my penis i have dry skin, red and almost a rash. Would this make me more likely to catching something?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Indeed, it sounds like your partner probably is at high risk for having any number of STDs. On the other hand, the risk of transmission of any STD from a single encounter is pretty low. HIV in particular isn't much of a risk; it is statistically very unlikely your partner had it, and if she did, the average chance of transmission was only 1 in 2,000. We don't have as good data about herpes risks, but on a per-exposure basis they probably are in the same ballpark as HIV. Syphilis is equally unlikely.
For the next 2-3 weeks, be on the lookout for common STD symptoms, i.e. discahrge of pus or mucus from the penis (sometimes with painful urination), or genital sores. If none of those things develop, the odds are strong you weren't infected. But if you want even greater security, you could attend your local STD clinic or see your primary care provider for routine STD testing. Gonorrhea and chlamydia (tested by urine sample) can be done accurately anytime after 2-3 days since exposure. Syphilis and HIV testing can be done accurately at 6 weeks or so. I recommend against testing for herpes if you don't develop symptoms; in the absence of symptoms, the chance of infection was too low to make it worthwhile.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
For the next 2-3 weeks, be on the lookout for common STD symptoms, i.e. discahrge of pus or mucus from the penis (sometimes with painful urination), or genital sores. If none of those things develop, the odds are strong you weren't infected. But if you want even greater security, you could attend your local STD clinic or see your primary care provider for routine STD testing. Gonorrhea and chlamydia (tested by urine sample) can be done accurately anytime after 2-3 days since exposure. Syphilis and HIV testing can be done accurately at 6 weeks or so. I recommend against testing for herpes if you don't develop symptoms; in the absence of symptoms, the chance of infection was too low to make it worthwhile.
I hope this helps. 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.
