Dear doctor, PLEASE HELP!

[Mattyodawg]

Okay well first off, I'd like to apologize for this question because i see its one you've answered many time before. On October 17th 2008, i met a girl of unknown HIV status and she gave me oral sex, and i performed cunnilingus on her. It was outside and i had cracked lips in the cold weather ( don't ask why we were outside). I am 16, and she was 16, but the next day , I heard from many people that she was HIV positive. Whether she was or not, it still brought on major anxiety, I don't go a day without thinking and worrying that i may have contracted HIV.Now the other thing is, is that i brushed my teeth when i got home approximately 20 minutes afterwards. I have read that this increases the chance of contraction. I also had a hangnail which was in contact with her secretions during the act. On other websites such as the CDC, they say HIV through oral sex is very possible. Everybody on this website, including you ,have such high doubts that HIV can be spread through cunnilingus.  I am absolutely horrified of contracting it, and even to go get tested seems to really up the anxiety, So here are my questions:

1)Do torn cuticles and brushing your teeth 20 minutes after cunnilingus greatly increase your chance of   contraction?

2) Why is everybody on this website so sure that its nearly impossible as opposed to other websites?

3)Do you recommend  me to get tested?

4)Are cracked lips really a problem?

5)I had a fever and other flu symptoms minutes after the event, and if HIV dies quickly in the air, then wouldn' t it die during oral sex? How long does it take for HIV to become inactive?

6)Does saliva really inactivate HIV? And finally, through all of my struggle with anxiety and this whole event, I have made the decision to follow a career in this field, how do i get started?

I know this may have been annoying and frustrating for you to answer, but I sincerely appreciate it . Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I have read your question and reviewed the other posts you have placed on the HIV Prevention community.  Odds are that your partner did not have HIV.  You should not believe rumors you hear from others. If you are really concerned, ask your partner, don't believe rumors.  In addition, even if she did have HIV, your risk is virtually non-existent.  You are about to hear the same answers that you have already heard several times, i.e. that you are not at risk and that your fears are misplaced.:

1.  No!
2.  The information you receive hear is based on scientific studies and the information Dr. Handsfield and I have gained from working in the field, both as researchers and clinicians since the epidemic started.  there is a great deal of mis-information on the web.  We do not debate this mis-information, we ignore it.  If you choose to believe it, that is up to you.
3.  You have absolutely no medical reason to get tested.   Having said that, it is clear that you are consumed by anxiety over this. thus  you may want to get tested once.  The result will be negative, proving that you do not have HIV.  If you get tested and/or cannot stop worrying, you need to seek the help of a counselor/mental health professional who can help you to deal with your unfounded anxiety.
4.  No!
5.   The symptoms of the ARS do not start immediately after exposure, they take more than a week to appear.  In addition, symptoms are a terrible way to judge HIV risk.  Your symptoms are not related to HIV.
6.  Yes HIV is inactivated by salivary enzymes and antibodies.

If you want to pursue a career in the field you can seek medical training or you can volunteer at a local HIV community based organization

Hope this helps.  You really have nothing to worry about.  EWH

[Mattyodawg]

Darn it, i kinda feel like i might now be part of those modifying factors.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

That HIV can be acquired across mucous membranes is well known but that does not mean that it is in every occasion.  In fact it is a rare event with many modifying factors (and no, I am not going to list what those modifying factors are, nor am I going to debate something you got from other web sites).  EWH

[Mattyodawg]

And do you know why other websites say the mucous membrane can absorb the HIV? If not, its fine. Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Not sure I fully understand the question but the entire oral cavity is lined with mucous membranes.  EWH

[Mattyodawg]

Thank you sooo much! Just you alone telling me that has made my day and eased my stress very much. One final question : What part does mucous membranes in your mouth play in possible contraction? Many other sites refer to this.