HIV College Student **

[GM2000]

MedHelp,

Thank for the valuable service you provide. I am starting my sophomore year in college, and I plan to become a doctor. I always practice safe-sex, and I try to learn as much as I can to protect myself. I know this information is superfluous, but I want you to know from where I'm coming.

Here is the timeline...

My ex-girlfriend traveled to her native country (somewhere in South America) several weeks ago. She made out with a guy she has liked for some time while she was there. I asked her to explain everything that occurred -- she said she only made out with him several times. She has never had sex with anyone but me -- she was my first too. I have only had sex with one other person, for which I already tested. She has no history of gum disease either. However, she regularly flosses her teeth.

When she returned from her country, she gave me oral sex. I remember I felt she was a little rough with her mouth, but I could see no visible scrapes and no visible blood. We made out before it too.

Two weeks later, we had protected sex and she finished me with a blowjob. The problem is she took off my condom, but she continued to give me a blowjob and a handjob. She did not clean her hands -- her vaginal fluids from the condom and from slightly touching herself were on my penis.

So that's the situation.

I'm afraid she may have possibly contracted HIV from making out with the guy in her country. I know saliva does not transmit HIV... but are there other routes through the mouth? And if she did get it, I may have been exposed to it via the situation described above.

I just want to know what you think of the situation. I've been losing some sleep over it.

Thank you!

[GM2000]

Thank you so much!

My assumption was based on the CDC report, but you clarified the case for me. You really do have a great website here. I've recommended the site to a lot of my friends... many have a limited understanding of STD/HIV prevention.

Enjoy your weekend.

[Thomas96]

Thanks,  I can see your point.  I reread the article and have to agree that this wasnt caused by kissing but instead like you said exchange of blood.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Such reports are not evidence of transmission of HIV by kissing and are the exceptions that prove that HIV is not tranmitted by kissing - this case report describes the echange of subtantial amounts of blood - this is not kissing.  To suggest that they are proof that kissing can transmitted HIV is wrong.  EWH

[Thomas96]

The CDC has one documented case by kissing, but there was a huge amount of extenuating circumstances.  IE ( recent dental work, severe bleeding gums by both parties)

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As a pre-medical student it is particularly important that you do not promote behaviors which are based on incorrect assumptions.  No one has EVER gotten HIV from kissing, even deep throat kissing, with or without bleeding gums.  There is no way that she got HIV from kissing.  You have nothing to worry about.  Also, since you plan to become a physician, it is important that you realize the importance of not pursuing the "But, if she did..." questions – to do so would be most unprofessional.  All they do is promote irrational apprehension.

Bottom line.  You are not at risk.  Forget it.  EWH