Aa
Unprotected
Hi Docs, last week on Friday night I had unprotected oral (receptive) and vaginal sex with a girl (early twenties) known to have multiple partners. Prior to this encounter I was cleared of all STD's with a blood test. Please provide me with a statistical risk assessment (odds) for the various STD's (HIV included) I could have potentially been exposed to. I am in Sydney Australia and am a 26 year old uncircumcised male if that's relevant. I've also received unprotected oral from other promiscuous girls recently but usually wear a condom for sex (was intoxicated during the encounter described above). Since the encounter I've felt irritation in my urethra and the meatus seems red and slightly swollen. Could this be an STD (no spots, or discharge yet) but apparent dry skin and general irritation? I've been drinking quite a lot of alcohol recently which might have an effect and it's possible I am inventing systems as I have a lot of anxiety around this sort of thing (germaphobe). Any advice and information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Should I be tested based on the symptoms I'm experiencing (mild irritation and red meatus only)? If so, what tests and when? Many Thanks, Anxious Jay
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry for the delay. Busy day for us too.
The risk of STD for any single encounter is low.. Most people do not have HIV (even those who have had multiple partners) and most exposures to infected persons do not lead to infection.. That said, there is no scientific way to tell you what your risk for STD is precisely.
In your own case, the mild symptoms you describe could well be due to either chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis NGU) or gonorrhea. Any of these symptoms can cause the sorts of symptoms you describe At the same time, 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. this too may be part of the origin of your symptoms.
My advice is go and get tested for chlamydia, NGU and gonorrhea at a local GUM clinic. the clinics in Sydney are superb and provide discrete, accurate services at a low cost. I suspect that they will also test for infections such as syphilis and HIV however the risk for these is far lower and the more important tests are for the three I mentioned first. If any of the tests are positive, they can easily be treated.
I hope this is helpful. EWH
The risk of STD for any single encounter is low.. Most people do not have HIV (even those who have had multiple partners) and most exposures to infected persons do not lead to infection.. That said, there is no scientific way to tell you what your risk for STD is precisely.
In your own case, the mild symptoms you describe could well be due to either chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis NGU) or gonorrhea. Any of these symptoms can cause the sorts of symptoms you describe At the same time, 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. this too may be part of the origin of your symptoms.
My advice is go and get tested for chlamydia, NGU and gonorrhea at a local GUM clinic. the clinics in Sydney are superb and provide discrete, accurate services at a low cost. I suspect that they will also test for infections such as syphilis and HIV however the risk for these is far lower and the more important tests are for the three I mentioned first. If any of the tests are positive, they can easily be treated.
I hope this is helpful. EWH
Thanks for your patience and understanding. You do a great service to worry warts on these boards and people with genuine concerns also. Will only post again re test results.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
the azithromycin will be effective therapy for the most likely infections- chlamydia, NGU and perhaps gonorrhea and syphilis (not 100% effective in treating these two but they are uncommon). HIV and herpes are viruses- no effect and no way to prevent them if you are going to get them.
Personally, I think your anxiety is getting the best of you and urge you to work to keep you anxiety in check. EWH
Personally, I think your anxiety is getting the best of you and urge you to work to keep you anxiety in check. EWH
Doc, I went to the medical centre today. They took a swab, urine sample and blood test. After examining me he decided to prescribe Abzithromycin (500mg). He suggested I take 2 tonight and return towards the end of the week for results.
Would this take care of anything other than herpes, HIV and syphilis obviously? He said that he couldn't see any sores so herpes is unlikely. With my updated situation can you please provide some numerical risks for other things (untreatable) I may have been exposed to including herpes? I will do a repeat blood test in 8 weeks or so but that's a long time to be fearful and any further feedback directly from you would certainly help put things in perspective. You may gather from my username I struggle with anxiety.
Would this take care of anything other than herpes, HIV and syphilis obviously? He said that he couldn't see any sores so herpes is unlikely. With my updated situation can you please provide some numerical risks for other things (untreatable) I may have been exposed to including herpes? I will do a repeat blood test in 8 weeks or so but that's a long time to be fearful and any further feedback directly from you would certainly help put things in perspective. You may gather from my username I struggle with anxiety.
Hi Doc, am I required to pay another $20 for my additional questions above? Pls let me know. frenulum is also red and a bit swollen leading into the urethra making me think this could be friction/trauma rather than an STD. It seems raised and puffy and a little sore.
Thanks,
Jay
Thanks,
Jay
Also no discharge yet. She did have a red mark under her lips but didn't look like a cold sore. Is female to male hsv1 through blowjobs common? Apologize for my frantic posting
Thx Doc. I haven't had time to visit a medical centre yet but plan to soon. Can you pls provide numerical approx. Risk for the various std's. For example I know the risk for HIV is approx 1/000 but no idea for the others. The meatus is more swollen now (like lips/cut). Irritation remains the same. Can herpes be transmitted without visible sores? Could herpes first outbreak present on the urethra (outside) only? There are no other visible marks on my glans or shaft. Finally can urethra issues like chlamydia, gono and urethris clear up without treatment. Thx for your patience. These are my final questions and will go doc ASAP. In the meantime I'm scared - particuarly that I've caught herpes.
A speedy response would be great please? I'm quite concerned and might find some solace in your feedback.
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.
