Dear Doctor and fellow posters,

I am new to this forum and I wanted to seek the opinion of the experts and other posters on the risk of a recent series of incidents to which I have exposed my self. I have visited a number of times a massage parlour in the UK recently and received 3 counts of unprotected oral sex and 2 of protected vaginal intercourse. None of the usual additional risks associated with oral sex (bleeding, sores, previous stds) were to my knowledge present (at least they were not obvious). The condoms were high quality and used correctly from the beginning. They did not break.

Following this, I wanted to ask for your opinion on whether I should consider my self at risk. The existing information (especially on government related sites) is quite confusing and not very clear to me. In particular i find the definition 'safer' (for oral sex) sex not very helpful (although certainly accurate!) and I am struggling to calculate the magnitude of the risks involved in receiving unprotetced oral sex.Of course I understand how there can be a theoretical risk but how significant is it?Theoretically, just by the same token, there could be also a risk from playing a basketball game whereby an injury with mutual cuts could lead to infection via blood contact? Secondly, I don't seem to be able to find any confirmation that condoms even if used properly and consistently can guarantee safety. Indeed, some studies I have seen estimate a protection rate of 80-97% (which of course, is an improvement but certainly not fail proof). So I suppose at an abstract level I am looking for answers to these specific questions (effectiveness of condoms, risk through receiving oral sex) whilst at a personal level I am seeking an opinion of the level of risk to which I have exposed my self to. Many thanks in advance for any response.

Best

Frank