Hello,

I have had sexual encounters with several prostitutes in Spain during the past few months. The totals come out to: 6 women 6 protected intercourses 2 protected blowjobs 4 unprotected blowjobs 1 unprotected cunnilingus. I am freaking out because during my last two encounters I received unprotected oral while I had inflamed follicles on my shaft...no open sores or ulcers, but irritated spots. All intercourse was always with latex condoms, and no failures or breakage. These prostitutes were of the brothel, not the street, variety (3 chinese, 1 cuban, 1 brazilian, 1 eastern european). Am I right to be worried about HIV?

-Depressed in Donostia

Hello Depressed in Donostia,

So let's see: You had six women (three Chinese, one Cuban, one Brazilian, one Eastern European), six unprotected "intercourses," four unprotected blowjobs, two protected blowjobs and one unprotected cunnilingus? Hmm . . . what, no partridge in a pear tree?

Your HIV-acquisition risk is extremely low, even with the inflamed follicles on Mr. Happy's shaft. Saliva is not considered a risk for HIV transmission, unless it contains visible blood. Protected sex is protected, assuming the latex condoms were used properly and did not break.

I see no reason for excessive worry. If you're concerned about these low-risk activities, get a single HIV-antibody test at the three-month mark. I'm confident your depression will disappear when you see the results.

Good luck.

Dr. Bob