HIV transfer through piercings

Hello Doctor,

My question is: what do you think of the possibility of HIV transmission through oral to earings contact would be in the case that the ear piercing was recently done and still not fully healed. I dont believe there were any cuts in her mouth but there could have been (obviously didn't inspect). She also gave me unprotected oral sex for a short period of time (probably no more than 5 mins) but im really more worried about the possibility of transmission through the ears, she did tug on them, lick them suck them extensivley etc. I didnt notice any bleeding from the piercings because I didnt think of this until later but they were sore for a few days after (so its possible?). This person is what I would guage to be a medium risk individual, doesnt inject drugs or anything but im sure shes "been around the track" a few times, so to speak (this is not meant to be derogatory in any way I just dont know how else to get the message across). For the purpose of this question lets assume she is HIV +

what do you think ? Thanks for your opinion

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

HIV isn't normally present in saliva in high enough numbers to be transmitted from anybody's mouth to anybody else, including the genitals or open sores of the kind that might be present after ear piercing.  Even if the person you describe is in fact HIV positive, you really are not at signficant risk.  But as I have said many times on this forum, if you are anxious about it, you can have an HIV test; the negative result may be more reassuring than my words.

Good luck--   HHH, MD