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Oral Sex STD Scare
Hi Dr. Handsfield,
About 48 hours ago I did the stupidest thing of my life. I received unprotected oral sex from a stripper. This only lasted a few minutes and I did not ejaculate. The problem is since she is a stripper, I figure odds are that she is heavily infected. Though I've never been tested, I am pretty sure I do not already have any form of herpes as I am not sexually active at all (except this one time encounter) also I have never had a cold sore. I did not notice any cold sores on the stripper although to be honest I didn't take a careful look. I guess my question is: what are the odds I contracted some kind of STD from this encounter. I'm particularly worried about herpes.. I would appreciate any advice you have for me. I have not been able to sleep at all for the past 2 nights and have a tremendous amount of anxiety and guilt over this. I do not plan to ever do anything like this again, but I really hope the damage hasn't already been done. Thanks in advance.
About 48 hours ago I did the stupidest thing of my life. I received unprotected oral sex from a stripper. This only lasted a few minutes and I did not ejaculate. The problem is since she is a stripper, I figure odds are that she is heavily infected. Though I've never been tested, I am pretty sure I do not already have any form of herpes as I am not sexually active at all (except this one time encounter) also I have never had a cold sore. I did not notice any cold sores on the stripper although to be honest I didn't take a careful look. I guess my question is: what are the odds I contracted some kind of STD from this encounter. I'm particularly worried about herpes.. I would appreciate any advice you have for me. I have not been able to sleep at all for the past 2 nights and have a tremendous amount of anxiety and guilt over this. I do not plan to ever do anything like this again, but I really hope the damage hasn't already been done. Thanks in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
New herpes typically is obvious within 3-5 days, although rarely it can take up to 2+ weeks. Gonorrhea 2-5 days. NGU 7-14 days.
Thank you very much for your quick response. It has definitely eased some of the anxiety I have. Just a quick follow up question. After about how long in your opinion if I remain symptom free should I assume I'm in the clear for everything? Thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Noted. It is unlikely you will ever have any symptoms from this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
The title you chose for your question reflects a common misunderstanding. There rarely is a valid reason for an "oral sex STD scare". Oral sex is safe sex -- not completely risk free, but with a low overall chance of any STD -- much less than for unprotected vaginal or anal sex. As a rough guess, I suspect an STD results from no more than once for every 10,000 events.
Your question indicates you are most concerned about herpes, if the stripper had oral herpes. The chance is low. If you have had oral herpes yourself, or if you have a positive blood test for HSV-1, then you're immune; you won't catch a second HSV infection of the same type you already have. And that applies to half the adult population in the US, perhaps including you.
And in the slight chance you caught HSV-1, it probably wouldn't (or shouldn't) be a big deal for you. Genital herpes from HSV-1 causes few recurrent outbreaks and is not often sexually transmitted to partners, so it likely wouldn't matter very much.
As for other STDs, there may be slight risks for gonorrhea or nongonococcal urethritis. But if you don't develop any symptoms (dripping pus or mucus from the penis, penile blisters or sores) within a couple of weeks, you can safely assume you are home free.
I don't recommend an STD testing if you have no symptoms. But if you need the additional reassurance of negative test results, you could visit your local health department or a local Planned Parenthood clinic for testing. If you do that, and if you haven't had any symptoms, you can expect negative results. And it probably is safe for you to continue unprotected sex with your regular partner(s). That's what I would do with my wife, if I were somehow in your circumstances.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The title you chose for your question reflects a common misunderstanding. There rarely is a valid reason for an "oral sex STD scare". Oral sex is safe sex -- not completely risk free, but with a low overall chance of any STD -- much less than for unprotected vaginal or anal sex. As a rough guess, I suspect an STD results from no more than once for every 10,000 events.
Your question indicates you are most concerned about herpes, if the stripper had oral herpes. The chance is low. If you have had oral herpes yourself, or if you have a positive blood test for HSV-1, then you're immune; you won't catch a second HSV infection of the same type you already have. And that applies to half the adult population in the US, perhaps including you.
And in the slight chance you caught HSV-1, it probably wouldn't (or shouldn't) be a big deal for you. Genital herpes from HSV-1 causes few recurrent outbreaks and is not often sexually transmitted to partners, so it likely wouldn't matter very much.
As for other STDs, there may be slight risks for gonorrhea or nongonococcal urethritis. But if you don't develop any symptoms (dripping pus or mucus from the penis, penile blisters or sores) within a couple of weeks, you can safely assume you are home free.
I don't recommend an STD testing if you have no symptoms. But if you need the additional reassurance of negative test results, you could visit your local health department or a local Planned Parenthood clinic for testing. If you do that, and if you haven't had any symptoms, you can expect negative results. And it probably is safe for you to continue unprotected sex with your regular partner(s). That's what I would do with my wife, if I were somehow in your circumstances.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Sorry I forgot to add that I don't currently have any symptoms although it has only been 2 days.
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.
