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STDs (Expert Forum)
BV and HIV Transmission
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
BV and HIV Transmission
by HopeNHelp, Oct 11, 2005 12:00AM
Hi Dr. ~ Thanks for taking the time to review my question. I have had two encounters of unprotected cunnilingus / fingering (don't know the technical term for that!) with two different partners over the last 3 months. They are both lesbians if that matters. I just went for my pap and it came back normal, but with signs of BV to which they are prescribing me something to treat it. I also had a full STD panel, including HIV b/c I was concerned about possible exposure (just anxious I guess) and have not yet received those results back. Does the fact that I have BV increase the liklihood of transmission via unprotected cunnilingus / fingering?? Thank you in advance.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 11, 2005 12:00AM
, Oct 11, 2005 12:00AM
First, HIV transmission by cunnilingus or hand-to-genital contact has never been documented--which is why HIV transmission between lesbian women is virtually nonexistant, if it occurs at all. When lesbians get HIV, it usually is from injection drug use or sex with men. Second, lesbians are at risk for bacterial vaginosis; in fact, the risk of BV may be even greater among women who have sex with other women than in strictly heterosexual women. (Some of the main research in this area has been done by my close friend and colleage, Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo of the University of Washington--in case you want to look up any of that work.) Third, BV indeed increases the risk of HIV transmission, other things being equal.
However, since the risk of sexual HIV transmission among women is microscopic, even an enhanced risk in the presence of BV is meaningless. This is an issue primarily for heterosexual women whose male partners are at risk for HIV. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, and would not have recommended HIV testing had you asked about it before having the test. But no harm done; assuming you have no other risks for HIV, you can expect a negative result.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
However, since the risk of sexual HIV transmission among women is microscopic, even an enhanced risk in the presence of BV is meaningless. This is an issue primarily for heterosexual women whose male partners are at risk for HIV. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, and would not have recommended HIV testing had you asked about it before having the test. But no harm done; assuming you have no other risks for HIV, you can expect a negative result.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
:)
HHH, MD