Welcome to the Forum. I'll be happy to address your questions. Before we get to specifics however, let me remind you that she is unlikely to have an STD- most people (even the forward ones) do not and secondly, there are no STDs which are transmitted by kissing - unless I suppose, you count cold sores (HSV-1) which ai guess could technically be considered an STD. Unless she had an active cold sore on her lips however, once again you do not know if she has HSV-1 and even if she did, the risk of your becoming infected form a kiss would be estimated to be less than 1 in 10,000 - not something to worry about.
1.Given that the kiss was closed mouth, but lasted a second and I had the cracked/flaking chapped lips with inside canker sore; Am I at risk for any oral std’s like Herpes 1 or 2, HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or even HPV? Could something pass through the possible open wound in my lips due to the cracking?
Please see above- even with your chapped, cracked lips I would not be worried.
2. I have acne on my face. Could one of the above STD’s be transmitted from her kissing or touching an acne sore, active zit, or scar?
No, this too is not a concern.
3. Does the dry skin causing open cut on my hand pose a risk for any diseases since she was holding my hand?
Breaks in the skin, whether on your lips, hands or elsewhere are sites where you are somewhat more vulnerable to skin infections from the bacteria already on your own skin but are not meaningful risk factors for acquisition of infection from others.
4. I know I have no STD’s, not even Herpes 1, due to recent blood tests. Do I need to test for anything (including Herpes 1 and 2) due to this incident?
No, there is no reason for concern.
I hope my comments are helpful. EWH
Thank-you for the reply. I just have an additional follow up. If she did have poor-oral hygiene, whether gingivitis, bleeding gums, etc...would there be any enhanced risk due to the fissures in my lips due to the chapping? My lips weren't actively bleeding, but there was a deep red (like blood) inside the cracks in my lips (from the chapped lips). I am thinking if her saliva or blood from bad gums entered these cracks. I also tend to have bleeding gums, myself. Is kissing really, no matter what spin is put on it, never a risk for HIV or other STD's?
No, no risk, irrespective of any dental or gum disease that she and/or you might have. EWH
Thank-you so much for answering my questions with thoughtfulness and patience. Your reputation certainly matches your beside manner. I only wish my own primary care physician was willing to entertain my questions in the professional manner in which you have. Regards.
Dr. Hook:
May I please get your opinion one last time. I've read through where non-specific tests are not a good idea for Herpes. My lastest test was as follows:
HSV I/II IgG Rflx I-II Type Sp
HSV I/II IgG <0.9 (Result) N (Flags) Index (Units) 0.0-0.08 (Ref interval)
Negative 1.0
Note: Negative indicates no antibodies detected to either HSV-1 and/or HSV-2. Equivocal may suggest early infection. If clinically appropriate, retest at a later date. Positive indicates antibodies detected to HSV-1 and/or HSV-2.
Please Note:
The date and time of collection was not indicated on the requisition as required by state and federal law. The date of receipt of the specimen was used as the collection date if not supplied.
Do I need to retest being that the type specific was never ran or can I be confident I am Herpes free?
Dr. Hook:
The "Negative 1.0" is not accurate. The result, however, is <0.9
To answer your last question first, since we would recommend testing to start with, I would not recommend re-testing either. Further, there is no information you have provided that suggests that such testing is warranted.
As for your results, they appear to indicate that you do not have antibodies to herpes viruses, thus there is no evidence of infection.
This will need to complete this thread. EWH