Aa
Risk???
I am a woman who has had herpes for 10 years...I recently had an oral sex encounter and am very worried about it!!! I first want to say that I have read your posts about HIV and oral sex, but I still have some questions because I didn't really see an answer that I felt pertained to my situation.
My question is, due to the fact that I do have herpes, but no open sores at the time, if the male person who performed oral sex on me "was" HIV+ would I have an increased chance of contracting HIV, or is there still a low risk because it is oral? I have heard such conflicting information from reading on the internet...UGH!
I really hope I posed this question correctly, and would very much appreciate any feedback. I have made an appointment with my gynecologist for Monday and will get tested for HIV at the 30 day mark and then again at three months, but in the meantime thought I would get some advice.
Thank you,
Worried
My question is, due to the fact that I do have herpes, but no open sores at the time, if the male person who performed oral sex on me "was" HIV+ would I have an increased chance of contracting HIV, or is there still a low risk because it is oral? I have heard such conflicting information from reading on the internet...UGH!
I really hope I posed this question correctly, and would very much appreciate any feedback. I have made an appointment with my gynecologist for Monday and will get tested for HIV at the 30 day mark and then again at three months, but in the meantime thought I would get some advice.
Thank you,
Worried
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the HIV forum.
You have no serious worries about HIV in this situation. On average, people with genital herpes due to HSV-2 have roughly double the risk of catching HIV if exposed. While "double" sounds like a big deal, it really is not in this situation. The chance of catching HIV by cunnlingus (oral-vaginal sex) is so low that no such cases have ever been known to occur -- and double a near zero risk still equals near zero risk. In addition, most likely your partner didn't have HIV anyway. (Did you ask?) Of course this depends on things you don't mention -- his lifestyle (gay? injection drug user) and where you are (low risk in most industrialized countries, higher if he is from a country with high HIV/AIDS rates).
From a risk assessment perspective, you probably don't need HIV testing at all after this exposure. But for reassurance, you should go ahead with testing as planned. You could have a single test at 6-8 weeks, rather than the two tests you mentioned. But whenever you do it, you can expect negative results.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You have no serious worries about HIV in this situation. On average, people with genital herpes due to HSV-2 have roughly double the risk of catching HIV if exposed. While "double" sounds like a big deal, it really is not in this situation. The chance of catching HIV by cunnlingus (oral-vaginal sex) is so low that no such cases have ever been known to occur -- and double a near zero risk still equals near zero risk. In addition, most likely your partner didn't have HIV anyway. (Did you ask?) Of course this depends on things you don't mention -- his lifestyle (gay? injection drug user) and where you are (low risk in most industrialized countries, higher if he is from a country with high HIV/AIDS rates).
From a risk assessment perspective, you probably don't need HIV testing at all after this exposure. But for reassurance, you should go ahead with testing as planned. You could have a single test at 6-8 weeks, rather than the two tests you mentioned. But whenever you do it, you can expect negative results.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Thank you sooo much for the information! We did discuss our status prior to the encounter and he assured me that he was negative. I have a nagging fear in the back of my mind..UGH!. We are both from AZ and are heterosexual, non-drug users, I am 37, he is 54.
Again...thank you!
Again...thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is almost no chance someone like that has HIV. All will be well. Take care.
I got concerned because I have found out now that he tends to be somewhat promiscuous. I feel silly wasting my time worrying, but I am now convinced I want to refrain from all sexual contact! Lol!
Dear Dr. HHH,
I just wanted to come back to let you know that I tested NEGATIVE! I am currently trying to type while doing the happy dance. Lol! I want to thank you for taking the time to help me during my difficult time. Your words offered me comfort during the last 6 weeks. I returned to your posting many times and found solace. Again, thank you.
J
I just wanted to come back to let you know that I tested NEGATIVE! I am currently trying to type while doing the happy dance. Lol! I want to thank you for taking the time to help me during my difficult time. Your words offered me comfort during the last 6 weeks. I returned to your posting many times and found solace. Again, thank you.
J
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad to have helped. Stay safe.
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