HIV through blood in saliva while kissing

[hassi123]

Hi,

so I'm very worried about a recent incident I had on my Thailand trip, although I probably overreacting here.

After I partied I took a male hooker with me to my hotel room and we had sex. Before we really started I noticed some small drops of blood on my towel (only I used it) and on a pillow in the bed, nowhere else in the bed or on something the hooker was in contact with.
The sex was protected and condom was safe so I'm pretty sure that nothing happened there and probably the blood came from a pimple on my head which started to bleed after showering or something like that.

But still I'm a worried about the risk, let's say the male hooker was HIV+ (he requested condom even for blowjob, so I think he was really focused on safety), is there any risk that he transmitted HIV with a blood and saliva mix (let's say he have had some open scratches in his mouth or on his lips) trough kissing. I should add that although there was definitely some saliva exchanged, we did more engage in lip biting than in french kisses. I also did not noticed any blood on his lips and I checked my lips and mouth and couldn't find any open sores and I did not taste blood while we kissed (but as I was quite drunk I'm not really sure on that).

The next day I went to see a doctor in Thailand and asked him if there is any risk and he said there is probably a 5-10% chance of an infection and that I should start with a PEP, which I did about 30h after the possible exposure because the risk really scared me.

After I went back to my country I went to see a real doctor in a hospital today. I described the situation and she said that there is a very low risk, but I should continue the PEP to be safe. The hospital also run a blood test and scheduled a follow-up consultation with a specialist for this Saturday.

The thing is that I don't feel good with the PEP and I'm quite sure that it was my blood and also many posts on the internet say that there is no risk at all.

So even if the hooker was HIV+, and even if it was his blood that somehow came into my mouth is there a real risk for me or should I finish the PEP?

[Teak]

You never had an exposure, move on.

[hassi123]

Sorry, but that does not help me. Also my last question is completely different from the once I already asked.

[Teak]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
    * After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
    * Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
    * Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[hassi123]

Ok, one more last question again, can I stop the PEP without problems?

Should I check with my doctor before I stop the PEP?

[hassi123]

Thanks again, I totally got that kissing is no issue at all.

What I don't get is why the possibility of blood while exchanging kisses/lip biting is not a game changer. That's why I'm so worried because if there were open sores in my mouth, why would HIV+ blood mixed with saliva not be an infection risk?

I also think that the doctor in Thailand was more focused on his PEP commission, but I went to a hospital that is considered as one of the best in Malaysia and they said as well there is a very low risk, like not even one in 1000 but there is a risk and I should continue the PEP.

I'm sorry that I ask this again, I'm just really scared and I want to make sure that I didn't even had the chance to catch HIV.

[nursegirl6572]

"I think the doctors recommended the PEP because blood was maybe involved and the risk is probably higher with that."

Actually, no.  Kissing is not a risk no matter the circumstances.  The doctor was grossly misinformed.

[hassi123]

Thanks for your answer, that really helps.

I think the doctors recommended the PEP because blood was maybe involved and the risk is probably higher with that.

So again the blood was most likely mine and I didn't saw any blood on the prostitute, nowhere. But that doesn't mean that there was no blood. I mean you see blood at some point and you start thinking about was there any blood before and I might didn't pay attention to it.

So if the general rule is blood, mixed with saliva, so outside the body and with contact to air cannot infect someone, even if there was a open sore on my mouth (and I checked, there was nothing I could see) I could stop thinking about this an stop taking the PEP.

[nursegirl6572]

Oh my goodness, you were tragically misinformed by the doctor you saw.  Even REAL exposures (unprotected sex) don't have those kinds of odds!  5-10% is insane, especially considering that kissing carries ZERO risk.  I also cannot believe that doctor put you on nPEP for kissing.  Even the highest risk exposures don't carry odds like that.

Read this:

"Finally, let me mention that even if she has HIV, your risk for HIV form a single episode of vaginal intercourse is less than 1 infection per 1,000 exposures, thus the odds are in your favor."

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/My-Risk/show/1120125

That's ONE percent for unprotected vaginal sex with an infected partner.  The doctor you saw is clueless, sorry.  

You never needed nPEP, and you never had a risk.  

[hassi123]

ok, thanks for your feedback.

So in general it is save to say that blood mixed with saliva can not infect someone with HIV, even if there were open sores in the mouth?

[Teak]

You didn't need it to begin with.

[hassi123]

So no need to take the PEP any longer?

[Teak]

Not an HIV concern.  

[hassi123]

Thanks for your answer, that is also what I think.

My problem is that the doctors say there is a risk and I should take the medicine which really scares me.

So in your opinion, worst case his blood, HIV+, some blood mixed with saliva in my mouth, any risk?

[Teak]

You never had an exposure.