Need help

[Howdidthishappen101]

Hi....... Just going to jump right to the point
May 8 perform oral ( guy said he was negative)
May 18 received oral ( hiv positive guy, current UD under 20 copies, cd4 >700)
May 19 developed swollen lymph node in armpit( confirm by RN)
May 23   4 gen test negative
May 29  received oral from same hiv pos person currently we are now dating.
May 31    4 gen test negative
June 9.    Antibody 1 min test negative
June 13  swollen lymph node left side of groin.

1. From everything I have read states that receiving oral is not a risk for hiv is this true?
2. Hiv + ppl  on meds with a UD VL is very hard to transmit the virus?( Swiss study )
3. Do my symptoms sound like ARS? ( really only have persist swollen nodes, no fever, rash sore throat, or muscle pains)
4. Can kissing I.e deep kissing transmit hiv?
There have been no anal sex with either partner.
I would like to continue my relationship with the hiv + guy and if I am truly negative how do I remain negative?
Thanks you so much
    

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, if your swollen nodes were due to HIV the test would certainly be positve.  EWH

[Howdidthishappen101]

Can I rule out hiv for the swollen nodes? Sorry but I am very scared right now

[Howdidthishappen101]

Thanks doc, well yesterday I did get tested again with rapid test which was negative. Can I now assume that the lymph nodes are not due to hiv infection?  Also is there a risk if my new partner perform oral on me? Thank much

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I note that the questions are pretty much the same that you have had with nursegirl and others on the community site and the answers will be similar.  HIV is a sexually transmissible infection but it is not all that easy to transmit.  The virus does not live well outside of the body and thus is not transmitted by superficial exposure.  It is sexually transmitted but the likelihood of transmission is correlated with the type of sex and how infectious the infected partner is (i.e. persons with higher viral loads are more infectious).  I'll answer your questions, then add a few more comments about your risk:

1. From everything I have read states that receiving oral is not a risk for hiv is this true?
There are no known cases of HIV transmission documented to have occurred through receipt of oral sex.  Performing fellatio on an infected partner is low but not no risk- the estimated risk for transmission is 1 infection per 10,000 exposures.  We have at least one client on this site who may have acquired HIV from performing oral sex on infected partners.

2. Hiv + ppl  on meds with a UD VL is very hard to transmit the virus?( Swiss study )
Yes, there are many studies of this sort which show that the lower the viral load in the infected partner the less likely transmission is to occur. this has led to the concept of "treatment as preventions" (for the non-infected partner).

3. Do my symptoms sound like ARS? ( really only have persist swollen nodes, no fever, rash sore throat, or muscle pains)
No, htere are many possible causes of swollen lymph nodes. the lymph node swelling of HIV is widespread.  

4. Can kissing I.e deep kissing transmit hiv?
No.

A couple in which one person is infected and the other not can have a meaningful and fulfilling relationship.  The cornerstone of such relationships is respect for each other.  Risk of transmission can be minimized through treatment of the infected person, safer sex practices including condoms for rectal sex, and consideration of what is now called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) in which the uninfected person takes preventative therapy (typically using a medication called Truvada [tenofovir and emtricitibine] to prevent them from becoming infected.  This therapy is new and should be administered by a physician with who you have an ongoing relationship.

I hope these comments are helpful.  EWH