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Question for Teak or Doctors
I met a young woman last week and she invited to her place. We agreed in advance that we wouldn't have sex soon, so we hugged and rubbed a little. Neither one of us removed our clothes. She did kiss me a couple of times...no tongue though. She had some dry lips though and earlier today I noticed a small scab on my lip. I don't know when I bit it. I know she didn't bite me. I've read stuff on the CDC site about HIV transmission through kissing. I like this lady and want to see her again. I just don't want to be a paranoid dick. Was there any risk of HIV infection?
Thanks!
Thanks!
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 09, 2010 05:51PM
Of course no risk. HIV is not transmitted by kissing, even with sores in the mouth.
Despite the billions of kissing events in the AIDS era, not one case of HIV has been known to be transmitted that way, even though millions of those kisses undoubtedly were with cuts in the mouth or on the lips.
There is no need for HIV testing, even if your kissing partner was at high risk for HIV (e.g., gay man, injection drug user), and even if s/he is known to have HIV. Of course you can always get tested if you are unconvinced by this reassurance (and Teak's) and remain nervous about it.
HHH, MD
by Edward W Hook, MD, Feb 12, 2010 08:57PM
There is no risk to you of getting HIV or other STDs from kissing, even deep kissing an even if your mouth was dry an you had cold sores.
You do not need to be concerned and do not need testing of any sort. EWH
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Sep 12, 2006 12:00AM
Kissing carries no significant risk of HIV or other STDs, with or without blood exposure, and I am unaware of any reports of transmission through mouth area bites. I suppose the risk in theory is a little higher than kissing without biting, but even doubling a virtually zero risk still leaves virtually zero risk. In any case, the statistical likelihood is low that the stripper is HIV infected. I don't recommend testing.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
by Edward W Hook, MD, Mar 06, 2009 08:49AM
Your OCD is speaking to you far louder than the facts. You do not need testing. Kissing is no risk, even deep kissing and even with gum or dental disease. No one has EVER been infected with HIV through kissing. This includes kissing by all of the people who had HIV and gum disease, mouth sores, etc.
Finally, you do not even know that your partner was HIV infected. Odds are that she was not.
EWH
Of course no risk. HIV is not transmitted by kissing, even with sores in the mouth.
Despite the billions of kissing events in the AIDS era, not one case of HIV has been known to be transmitted that way, even though millions of those kisses undoubtedly were with cuts in the mouth or on the lips.
There is no need for HIV testing, even if your kissing partner was at high risk for HIV (e.g., gay man, injection drug user), and even if s/he is known to have HIV. Of course you can always get tested if you are unconvinced by this reassurance (and Teak's) and remain nervous about it.
HHH, MD
by Edward W Hook, MD, Feb 12, 2010 08:57PM
There is no risk to you of getting HIV or other STDs from kissing, even deep kissing an even if your mouth was dry an you had cold sores.
You do not need to be concerned and do not need testing of any sort. EWH
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Sep 12, 2006 12:00AM
Kissing carries no significant risk of HIV or other STDs, with or without blood exposure, and I am unaware of any reports of transmission through mouth area bites. I suppose the risk in theory is a little higher than kissing without biting, but even doubling a virtually zero risk still leaves virtually zero risk. In any case, the statistical likelihood is low that the stripper is HIV infected. I don't recommend testing.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
by Edward W Hook, MD, Mar 06, 2009 08:49AM
Your OCD is speaking to you far louder than the facts. You do not need testing. Kissing is no risk, even deep kissing and even with gum or dental disease. No one has EVER been infected with HIV through kissing. This includes kissing by all of the people who had HIV and gum disease, mouth sores, etc.
Finally, you do not even know that your partner was HIV infected. Odds are that she was not.
EWH
Thanks Lizzie. I called the 24-hour health info line through my insurer earlier today and the nurse actually said you could be infected through saliva. Now, I'm not asking you to repeat yourself. But dedicated prevention advocates like you need to know that health providers are out there giving total BS info.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
I understand...especially about sex. It just feels stupid to say "We can't kiss until we both have a test." I mean, if I can't kiss a woman without a medical exam, I'm joining a monastery.
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