hiv risk assessment

[salahito]

Dear Dr,
Kindly help me with this problem. Let me start by being frank with you, I do have OCD due to HIV and I am getting treatment for it.
I met a nice women and we made out a few times. Open mouth kissing that is. One of the times I just burnt my tongue after sipping a very hot tea and then we kissed. She told me she had dental work about a month ago. I later came to know that her divorcee was promiscuous. I do not know her HIV status or his. She has been separated for 4 years and has 4 kids.
From what I have told you do you think there is a risk of hiv transmission? I did a PCR and antibody test after 17 days and it was negative.

Kind regards

[salahito]

Thanks a lot
God bless

[Edward W Hook, MD]

A negative PCR is further evidence of what I said- there is no risk for HIV form kissing.  You do not need further testing.  In fact, you did not need testing to start with.  EWH

[salahito]

Dear Dr Hook,
Thank you for your reply. We are not in the united states we are in kuwait where HIV testing is greatly stigmatized. I do it through a private firm when needed where they send it abroad.
I am wondering what your thoughts are regarding a negative PCR at 17 days. I realize that the negative Elisa does not mean much at this point of time

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  Overall, the risk that this woman has HIV is quite low.  Here in the U.S. fewer than 1 in 10,000 women have HIV and if she has kids, she was certainly checked for  HIV at the time they she was pregnant with them.  In addition, there is nothing in the activities that you describe to suggest that this woman could have transmitted HIV to you.  HIV is spread only through genital or ano-genital penetrative sex of injection of infected material deep into tissue. It is not spread by kissing, including deep kissing, kissing following dental work or kissing when there is mouth sore present.  In fact, there really is no medical indication for you to get tested if your only exposure to her is through kissing.  

I see no reason for you to worry.  If your relationship progresses, my advice would be to discuss your OCD with her and suggest that you both be tested for STDs, including HIV before you have sex.  In this way you can both enter into the relationship without concern.  

I hope my comments are helpful. EWH