What are the odds I may have been contaminated by kissing an escort?

[imemyself68]

Hi

Roughly 60 hours ago I met an escort and we began by kissing a bit with open mouth - since then I have relived the night thousands of times and am sure that our tongues touched each other only 4 or 5 times and for like 5 seconds each time. We then had protected sex and the condom did not break, so no worries there.

However, shortly after she left I noticed a little blood in my mouth, coming from a wound caused by hot coffee the night before. The hot coffee burned my tongue and the mouth roof and I'm pretty sure the blood I noticed came from the latter one. While we kissed I did not notice any blood in her mouth. The burn in the tongue is still hurting a bit today, about 3 days after it first happened and I suppose that means it has not fully healed yet.

I was freaking out I could have got HIV and looking for info on the Internet did not help much, as information was conflicting. However, yesterday I found lots of information saying that the risk of getting HIV through kissing is basically zero even if there's some blood and cuts and that lots and lots of blood, which would be definitely noticeable, would be needed for contamination to happen this way. This has helped a lot, but based on the description above of what happened, do I have any reason to be worried? One thing that came to mind is that since my tongue was burned and apparently not yet healed, the HIV virus could be "absorbed" this way? This is likely just my fear showing and any scientific evidence to the opposite would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  You can rest assured that there is no risk to the exposure that you describe.  There are no instances in which HIV has been documented to be transmitted by kissing, including kissing in which the tongues touch, when there are sores or gum disease present in either or both persons or if there is a combination of these factors. Still absolutely no risk.  

Your situation, like that of many of our clients represents a great example of the power of the internet not only to inform but also to mislead.  While there is much useful information available on the internet, much of it is also taken out of context or a bit unbalanced and some of it is just plain wrong.  I would suggest staying off the internet for information on exposures of this sort. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes I do.  Still no risk even if bleeding is present in one mouth or both.  EWH

[imemyself68]

Doctor, at the risk of annoying you with follow up questions, when you say that "There are no instances in which HIV has been documented to be transmitted by kissing, including kissing in which the tongues touch, when there are sores or gum disease present in either or both persons or if there is a combination of these factors", you also mean that there may be some level of bleeding on one mouth or even in both, right?

Many thanks in advance

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes it is OK to continue to have unprotected sex with your GF. EWH

[imemyself68]

Doctor, I need a follow up advice. I did not mention the following fact because I'm very ashamed of myself!

By going out with the escort I was actually cheating on my long time girlfriend. I really regret it now, but it's too late, unfortunately. At the beginning of our relationship we went through all STD tests and since then have been doing unprotected sex. This is the very first time I cheat on her. I'm terrified of contaminating her with HIV and ruining her life. Based on your previous reply, it's absolutely sure that I did not get contaminated through the exposure I had. Would it then be ok to continue to have unprotected sex with her?

Thank you!

[imemyself68]

Thank you, doctor! I still plan to get tested at 6 weeks and 3 months, just to be sure, but your answer is very reassuring already!