Can you get STDs from licking your hand during mutual masturbation?

[Jonnybegood80]

Hi,

Recently engaged in mutual masturbation with another man. At a certain point, I stopped masturbating him and licked my hand to moisten it, in order to then masturbate myself. I came, he didn't. However, I think there may have been pre-cum on my hand, as there was a bitter taste on my hand when I licked it, so fear of exchange of bodily fluids.

I also had canker sores in my mouth which I read increases risks.

Can you assess the risk of stds please? This was 3.5 weeks ago. Very worried :(
Thanks

[auntiejessi]

Even if there were fluids from your partner on your hand, it wouldn't transmit STDs this way.

There probably wouldn't be enough fluid to have enough of any germ to transmit. Canker sores in the mouth is part of an old myth about HIV being transmitted by kissing, with blood exposures and all.

STDs are only transmitted orally by oral sex. HIV is not a risk from oral sex.

You should get some lube to have for these situations. It's a lot more effective than spit, and a lot more enjoyable. You can buy them on Amazon, at drug stores, and most STD clinics give it out for free.

[Jonnybegood80]

Hi, thanks for your reply. So is it zero risk or low risk?

[auntiejessi]

Zero risk.

[Jonnybegood80]

Ok thank you very much

[Jonnybegood80]

Hi again, it's been 4 weeks now since the encounter I described and in the last 10-14 days, I've noticed a couple of lesions in the throat which look like dark ulcers. They don't hurt, which is unusual, as my canker sores usually hurt. They just seem to be remaining the same, whereas the canker sores heal up. Plus a mucous cyst came and went yesterday. This is obviously worrying me and aside from that I've been getting headaches and feeling a bit nauseous at times. No fever. The worry is really eating at me. Should I be concerned?

[Sillymistake87]

No you should not. This is most likely resulted from anxiety but it is not connected to an STI.

[auntiejessi]

I mean, if you have ulcers in your throat, you should get those checked out for strep or something, but it's not an STD from this encounter. It's not likely to be strep since it doesn't hurt, but get it checked.

And definitely talk to your doctor about your anxiety.

[Jonnybegood80]

Thanks for getting back to me auntiejessi and sorry for the delay.

I've been worried sick these last few weeks so yes I do need to address the anxiety for sure. I have read your previous reply again to keep reminding myself that there was no risk.

Re the throat ulcers, they are still there and unchanged so my doc has prescribed me some blood tests to investigate.

In the meantime, Im struggling with what is presumably psycho-somatic symptomology.

Thanks again

[auntiejessi]

Talk to your doctor about your anxiety. You had no risk from this event, and if you are still struggling with it, that's definitely an over-reaction. I hope you get some answers regarding your throat.

[Jonnybegood80]

Ok thank you, and re no risk, does that refer to all STDs/STIs in this case? It seems like our focus was on HIV but just wondering about other things like herpes and warts etc?

[Kirstie_MHModerator]

Hi - your STD risk was already addressed and assessed as zero risk.  We hope you are able to move on from this event.

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