Likelihood of HIV from Oral Sex

Hi:

I'm very scared and need some advice. I recently went to Vegas and made arrangements to meet with a male escort. He claimed on his web page to practice safe sex and that's what it looked like with one exception. Oral sex went both ways, but there was no ejaculation. Now, I'm scared that I'm at risk for HIV since there's no telling how much pre-*** was in question. I can tell you this: the escort was never 'hard' in my mouth. He was nearly flacid the whole time. I've only seen pre-*** when an erection is present. I should tell you that it was my first time with another male, or anyone else so I was completely virgin going into this. The escort said he was HIV Negative and had been tested in August 2005, October 2005 and January 2006 with Negative results. Still, I'm scared. He seems to think there's nothing to worry about, but I disagree. I spoke with my doctor and he said that the risk of HIV exposure from oral sex is very low. A lot of sites on the net say the same thing. Finally, I'm getting an HIV test next week and then in six weeks after that per my doctor's suggestion.

What do you think given the circumstances? I'll never do it again, that's for sure. This is too damn scary. Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your doctor is right, and so is the escort.  You have no measurable risk of catching HIV from the exposure you describe.  Do it again as much as you like; you could have the same exposure twice a day for the next 30 years and expect to never catch HIV.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Imdumb]

There was no HIV risk from your encounter. You cannot get HIV by receiving oral. I have read that it might be possible to get HIV be giving oral but it is exceedingly rare. It would take ejaculation and ingestion of the semen or something of that nature.

On top of that, he said he gets tested regularly and is most likely telling the truth. The chances are several million to 1 in your favor. Realistically the chances are zero.

[unluckyoral]

Are you suggesting that pre-*** is safe?  How much HIV virus is contained in pre-***?  Sounds like a possible risk.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I am unaware of any data or research on HIV in pre-ejaculate fluid.  But I do know that nobody has ever been documented to have been infected through the sort of exposure you describe.

imdumb is right.  To put it another way, the risk you will die of some sort of accident in the coming week are much higheer than the odds you caught HIV from the exposure you describe.  Put life's risks in perspective and don't worry about the impossible ones.

HHH, MD