After a busy day that ended in a bar or a party to celebrate a new business deal, you woke up in an unfamiliar bed with someone you barely knew.
A one-night stand. This is how it works. Several drinks or a naughty surprise from your friends has brought you to this point, and it seems you had unprotected intercourse with a person of unknown STD status.
Worrisome, right? The risk of acquiring specific STDs from one instance of protected homosexual sex. Condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia STDs that are transmitted through body fluids.
Condoms are somewhat protective against HPV, syphilis, and herpes, which can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. These will help prevent urinary tract infections only. There is no evidence suggesting that cleaning your genitals with alcohol can be useful in preventing STDs. Moreover, overly active rubbing may irritate your skin and increase the risk of STD acquisition. For most STDs, post-exposure prophylaxis is available. Healthcare providers use certain algorithms for risk assessment and selection of those in need of prophylaxis.
For most STDs, they recommend waiting for test results or symptom development. However, if you are extremely concerned, it is possible to start the prophylaxis right after the exposure.
