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Unprotected Oral risks
Hi,
About 3 weeks ago, I received unprotected oral sex from a CSW (in Australia, but of SE Asian descent). During this time, she also put a condom on her finger, spat on the condom and put it in my anus. I also ejaculated in her mouth.
Since then, I started getting the following symptoms about 1 week after the said event:
- Testicular pain
- Red penis tip (no noticeable discharge)
- Finding it a little harder when having bowel movements.
- Swollen lymph glands
- Fever occassionally
I went to the Doctor 1 week from the event and had a urine test. The test came up negative for both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. He did not test for anything else. He also prescribed me Cephalexin, which I took for the full 7day course.
Following this, I still had bouts of testicle pain and fevers, so I revisited the doctor. He gave me doxycycline and also referred me for an Ultrasound of the scrotum.
Today, I noticed lumps on the inside of my anus. I thought it was herpes and went to the doctor. He checked it out and said it was not herpes, but rather more like a 'dried up pimple'. He cut one out to see if there was any pus, but there was not.
I was unable to get the ultrasound appointment in until tomorrow, so I haven't had that done yet.
Please answer the following if you could:
1) Could this be syphilis? I don't have a chancre yet, but do the symptoms and timing match?
2) Alternatively, could this be HIV? (Everything I've read says it's not possible - I just want to confirm)
3) Should the ultrasound show nothing, what should my next steps be?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
About 3 weeks ago, I received unprotected oral sex from a CSW (in Australia, but of SE Asian descent). During this time, she also put a condom on her finger, spat on the condom and put it in my anus. I also ejaculated in her mouth.
Since then, I started getting the following symptoms about 1 week after the said event:
- Testicular pain
- Red penis tip (no noticeable discharge)
- Finding it a little harder when having bowel movements.
- Swollen lymph glands
- Fever occassionally
I went to the Doctor 1 week from the event and had a urine test. The test came up negative for both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. He did not test for anything else. He also prescribed me Cephalexin, which I took for the full 7day course.
Following this, I still had bouts of testicle pain and fevers, so I revisited the doctor. He gave me doxycycline and also referred me for an Ultrasound of the scrotum.
Today, I noticed lumps on the inside of my anus. I thought it was herpes and went to the doctor. He checked it out and said it was not herpes, but rather more like a 'dried up pimple'. He cut one out to see if there was any pus, but there was not.
I was unable to get the ultrasound appointment in until tomorrow, so I haven't had that done yet.
Please answer the following if you could:
1) Could this be syphilis? I don't have a chancre yet, but do the symptoms and timing match?
2) Alternatively, could this be HIV? (Everything I've read says it's not possible - I just want to confirm)
3) Should the ultrasound show nothing, what should my next steps be?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This information doesn't change my opinion or advice. I am confident you have no STD from the sexual exposure described above. Doxycycline would usually result in symptom improvement starting in 2-3 days and continuing over a week. If your symptoms are improving while on doxy, most likely it is a coincidence (e.g., anxiety resolving, as you suggest yourself); or you have had a non-STD infection unrelated to the sexual exposure (e.g., prostatitis, which is not an STD). My advice at this point is that you discuss all this during your upcoming sexual health evaluation. There's nothing more a distant online forum can do, so I won't have any more comments.
The ultrasound was recommended by my GP, not because he thought that's what the cause was, but just to rule that out.
As he recommended, I'm going for that tomorrow, then will revisit him in a few days time.
For now, either the doxycycline is working or my anxiety is slowing, because the testicular pain is gone, as is the fever (although I'm now getting some discharge out of both ends). I can't be sure which is the case.
May I ask, how long does the doxy treatment take to kick in...? Accepting that each case would react a little differently of course.
As he recommended, I'm going for that tomorrow, then will revisit him in a few days time.
For now, either the doxycycline is working or my anxiety is slowing, because the testicular pain is gone, as is the fever (although I'm now getting some discharge out of both ends). I can't be sure which is the case.
May I ask, how long does the doxy treatment take to kick in...? Accepting that each case would react a little differently of course.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Testicular pain -- often achy, usually rather vague, both testicles, without tenderness to touch -- is often the result of pelvic muscle tension which can be caused by anxiety. (The same pain mechanism as tension headache.) If that's what your pain is like, it would reinforce my advice to hold off on the ultrasound until your sexual health evaluation. But of course check with the doctor who recommended the ultrasound -- never act solely on the medical advice of a distant online source.
If you are regularly or occasionally sexually active outside a mutually monogamous relatinship, routine STD testing from time to time is a good idea, e.g. once a year. On that basis, perhaps the SHC or other sexual health expert will recommend STD screening. But not on account of a single exposure of the sort you had.
If you are regularly or occasionally sexually active outside a mutually monogamous relatinship, routine STD testing from time to time is a good idea, e.g. once a year. On that basis, perhaps the SHC or other sexual health expert will recommend STD screening. But not on account of a single exposure of the sort you had.
Sorry, yes I'm having some testicular pain, but it has lessened significantly since about 1-2 dats after the doxy prescription.
At one point it stopped me from walking for a small period of time (20min)
I am in the major Metro areas, so I will be going there asap. I plan to ask their advice on what a routine std screening involves for any sexually active person and follow this accordingly.
The ultrasound was not my idea - was the doctor's. But I haven't had any significant injuries that would justify it in my opinion.
At one point it stopped me from walking for a small period of time (20min)
I am in the major Metro areas, so I will be going there asap. I plan to ask their advice on what a routine std screening involves for any sexually active person and follow this accordingly.
The ultrasound was not my idea - was the doctor's. But I haven't had any significant injuries that would justify it in my opinion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
An injury??? How? Why? Are you having testicular pain or swelling?
Say more about your plan for a "sexual health checkup. You're in Australia, right? Your country's sexual health centres are, collectively, the world's best network of STD/HIV prevention clinics. If you're planning that checkup in one of the SHCs, especially in a major urban area like Sydney or Melbourne, you will be in excellent hands. I would recommend you do that before you have the ultrasound.
Anxiety indeed could be responsible for most if not all your symptoms. It won't do any harm -- you don't describe any symptoms that suggest anything dangerous, not even remotely serious. So there's no hurry in sorting this out. Let me know the outcome.
Say more about your plan for a "sexual health checkup. You're in Australia, right? Your country's sexual health centres are, collectively, the world's best network of STD/HIV prevention clinics. If you're planning that checkup in one of the SHCs, especially in a major urban area like Sydney or Melbourne, you will be in excellent hands. I would recommend you do that before you have the ultrasound.
Anxiety indeed could be responsible for most if not all your symptoms. It won't do any harm -- you don't describe any symptoms that suggest anything dangerous, not even remotely serious. So there's no hurry in sorting this out. Let me know the outcome.
Thanks very much for the immediate reply!
The ultrasound is on my scrotum. To see if there's any injury to my testicles.
Also, is it actually possible for anxiety and guilt to cause these things? I'm not doubting you, just wondering to what extent they can harm the body.
Finally, although it's not recommended for this encounter, I will be getting a full sexual health checkup, which I will use as the final effort to clear my head.
The ultrasound is on my scrotum. To see if there's any injury to my testicles.
Also, is it actually possible for anxiety and guilt to cause these things? I'm not doubting you, just wondering to what extent they can harm the body.
Finally, although it's not recommended for this encounter, I will be getting a full sexual health checkup, which I will use as the final effort to clear my head.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum and thanks for your question, which came in while I was on the forum. Most users shouldn't expect immediate replies!
You had correct replies on the STD and HIV community forums. Given the brevity of the oral exposure, for practical purposes there was no risk for any STD -- and for sure there was absolutely no chance of HIV transmission. Even with prolonged oral sex, there are no proved cases of transmission by oral sex, from the oral to penile partner. Ejaculation in the mouth obviously makes no difference (except maybe for the oral partner, if the ejaculator is infected). Saliva exposure and fingering are risk free, even without a condom on the finger.
As for your symptoms, they are not really suggestive of STD. They are, however, typical for genitally focused anxiety after a regretted sexual exposure causing guilt, shame, or anxiety. I would not have prescribe cephalexin (or any antibiotic), but it likely did no harm. And based on your description, I'm also confident the anal problem was not herpes nor any other STD, for which you were not at risk in any case. I don't understand what the ultrasound exam is intended to address. What part of your body??
As for syphilis, there was absolutely no risk; the symptoms began too soon (2-3 weeks is the minimum); and cephalexin would have aborted syphilis if somehow you had been exposed. HIV is absolutely impossible; and also the symptoms aren't right and started too soon.
My advice, no matter what the ultrasound shows, is to follow your doctor's advice if your symptoms persist. But the best option probably will be to do nothing at all. I am very confident you have no infection of any kind from the sexual exposure you have described.
I hope this has been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You had correct replies on the STD and HIV community forums. Given the brevity of the oral exposure, for practical purposes there was no risk for any STD -- and for sure there was absolutely no chance of HIV transmission. Even with prolonged oral sex, there are no proved cases of transmission by oral sex, from the oral to penile partner. Ejaculation in the mouth obviously makes no difference (except maybe for the oral partner, if the ejaculator is infected). Saliva exposure and fingering are risk free, even without a condom on the finger.
As for your symptoms, they are not really suggestive of STD. They are, however, typical for genitally focused anxiety after a regretted sexual exposure causing guilt, shame, or anxiety. I would not have prescribe cephalexin (or any antibiotic), but it likely did no harm. And based on your description, I'm also confident the anal problem was not herpes nor any other STD, for which you were not at risk in any case. I don't understand what the ultrasound exam is intended to address. What part of your body??
As for syphilis, there was absolutely no risk; the symptoms began too soon (2-3 weeks is the minimum); and cephalexin would have aborted syphilis if somehow you had been exposed. HIV is absolutely impossible; and also the symptoms aren't right and started too soon.
My advice, no matter what the ultrasound shows, is to follow your doctor's advice if your symptoms persist. But the best option probably will be to do nothing at all. I am very confident you have no infection of any kind from the sexual exposure you have described.
I hope this has been helpful. 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.
