deep kissing

[em3737]

Hi...
I have read numerous pages about my very question, however I'm one of those paranoid people.  So you are more than welcome to answer this question with a simple yes.  

Made out with a stripper deep kissing for like 10-15 minutes.  No blood tasted ever, my mouth thought to be in good shape.  Actually was at the dentist 3-4 days prior and they said my gums looked very good.  Maybe slight irritation on inner cheek.  My mouth tends to be sensitive ever since I had GVH in my mouth years ago.  If I sleep wrong or something it just tends to get irritated.  But no open wounds as far as I could see.  I am nervous because of slight throat discomfort 4 days after my huge stupid bonehead decision.  THe discomfort is not really scratchiness, but rather slight discomfort when i swallow.  However I do feel better today.  The Risk of transmission of HIV is pretty much Zero right?

Thank you for your time.  I actually had a bone marrow transplant at the UW.  Your hospital is incredible.  (I have extreme medical history...thus my paranoid antics.

Thanks

[em3737]

Thanks so much.  My good friend actually works at harborview.. in the burn unit as a nurse.  I actually have been off all immune suppression for 6 plus years.  I take absolutely no meds.  Thanks you so much for you time and consideration.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Anyone who has been through a marrow transplant has a lot to be paranoid about!  Congratulations on making it through and best wishes for continued health.  But compared to what you have been through, it makes little sense to be worried about getting HIV by oral contact.  Your underlying disease, whateverr it was, the drugs you probably take (or have taken) and so on are infinitely greater risks for you.  I'm not suggesting you be cavalier about other health risks.  But kissing a stripper (or anyone else) is one you can safely be cavalier about.  If you have any residual immue deficiency from your disease or the transplant, the risk to your health from kissing comes from various respiratory viruses, not HIV or other STDs.

What you have already read about oral HIV transmission is correct.  To my knowledge, there has never been a validated report (and maybe not even an unvalidated one) of HIV transmission by kissing.  Gum disease or oral inflammation undoubtedly increases the risk, but when the risk is extremely low to begin with, even those things probably don't much matter.  Further, HIV is present in minimal amounts in oral secretions, and in any case swallowing HIV infected secretions is an inefficient mode of transmission.  (Among babies nursed by HIV infected mothers, on average 10-15% become infected after 6 months, swallowing a few ounces of HIV infected milk every day.)  Your symptoms don't suggest HIV.

Thanks for the good word about UW Med Center.  I'm actually at Harborview, but part of the same system of course.