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How can I get tested? Should I worry?

By December 28, 2010 - 12:13pm
 
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My boyfriend told me that he was tested for STDs this past summer and had nothing. Ever since, he hasn't had sex with anyone. The other day we didn't have sex but i performed oral sex on him (while he had a condom on). He didn't exactly ejaculate, but ever since I did it I've been nervous. This is the first time I've ever done something like this (I'm a virgin and have never had oral sex), and this happened two days ago.

I know of a place called Planned Parenthood nearby and I hear they give free STD tests. Should I worry? Is it too early for me to be tested?

Add a Comment8 Comments

Sorry about not signing in before replying above. Thank you! You've helped ease my nervousness a bit. I'll try not to panic, and I'll take a test, just in case, in three months.

December 28, 2010 - 2:50pm

Thank you! :)
So do you think it would be unnecessary for me to get an STD test (for HIV/AIDS) after doing this? Or should I do it just in case?

December 28, 2010 - 1:43pm
(reply to jessica_1675)

It would be unnecessary to get an HIV test for many reasons:
- low/no risk of transmission (condom, no ejaculation) from this one episode
- HIV has a "window period" before even showing up as positive on an HIV test. that window period is 3 months.

If you are concerned about your partner's risk of being exposed to HIV, and therefore transmitting it to you, there is an even higher risk of being exposed to other STDs or STIs. You can read more at: http://www.hivtest.org/faq.cfm.

December 28, 2010 - 1:51pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Alison Beaver)

Ok, so as far as my mouth being near/ on this testicles, this would not be a possible way of catching HIV/AIDS, right?

December 28, 2010 - 2:23pm
(reply to Anonymous)

That's right. Your mouth being on his testicles would NOT be a way that HIV is spread. His testicles (skin) would not be a way for HIV to be transmitted unless there was an open sore (I am sure you would notice something like this).

HIV is *only* transmitted from bodily fluids, not from unbroken skin.

December 28, 2010 - 2:42pm

Thank you so much for the quick response!

So, are you saying that I shouldn't worry, since he had a condom on?
I'm not necessarily worried about the other STDs because I know he doesn't have those, I was specifically worried about HIV/AIDS. I always thought you could get HIV/AIDS if there were fluids exchanged, such as blood or sperm. Although he used a condom there was a point where my mouth was on his testicles, but there was no fluid on them. Please let me know if there's a way to contract HIV/AIDS this way.

December 28, 2010 - 12:56pm
(reply to jessica_1675)

You are correct: HIV is only spread through bodily fluids (such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions). HIV is not spread through skin contact.

By the way, great that you used a condom for oral sex!!

December 28, 2010 - 1:24pm

If you performed oral sex and he had a condom on, you would not have a chance of STD/STI transmission from this one act. There are some STDs that are spread from skin-to-skin contact, but your mouth would have needed to touch his skin on/around his genital area. Additionally, transmission is more likely (for skin-to-skin, since you said there was no ejaculation AND he wore a condom) if there is an open sore, bump or something...I doubt you would have put your mouth on either of these things.

Please know: there is no test to check for STDs and STIs in men who do not have symptoms. If a man is having a symptom (penile discharge, bump or wart, for example), these can be examined by a doctor. Otherwise, there is no "STD test" for men, unless he specifically requested a "swab test" for one specific STD, an HIV test or other specific test.

In other words, you can not go to the doctor to say "I want a test for all STDs". You can request a chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV test...but these are all different tests.

Have you asked him specifically what tests he received?
Also, if someone were positive for an STD, it may not show up on a test as there is a "window" period that someone can be infected with an STD, and not be symptomatic or have enough of the virus in their system to show up on a test. So, in theory, a person could be tested for an STD, the test shows up negative, they do not have sex with anyone else....and they could be positive or be a carrier of that STD.

Does this make sense?

December 28, 2010 - 12:42pm
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