Open Mouth Kissing With Cut at Asian Massage Parlor

[Philly07]

Hi doctors,

I went to an Asian massage parlor about 3 weeks ago.  The woman who massaged me offered sex, but I declined, so she is a prostitute.  She said she always uses condoms.  I did, however, engage in open mouth kissing with her for maybe 10 seconds...not even all of it was open mouthed.

Immediately after I left, I realized that I had a brand new cut (relatively small but red, new and maybe slightly bleeding) on the inside of my lip.  It must have happened while I was there, perhaps from kissing her.

I now feel a slight sore throat.
I know kissing is generally not a risk for HIV but I know the CDC suggests it could be a very slight risk.
However, since the cut was so new while kissing her, if she had bleeding gums, etc., could this be a risk of HIV transmission if she was positive?  Should I be tested?

I am married, but my wife and I have marital problems and have not had sex in a year and a half.  We are working on things so if the opportunity comes up, can I sleep with her without fear of infection?

Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm pleased you found my answer helpful. EWH

[Philly07]

Thank you very much Dr. Hook.

Even though I was virtually certain that would be your answer, it feels better to read it written directly to me and addressing my specific situation than to read archived answers.  I appreciate you taking the time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to our Forum.  In preparing to answer your question I reviewed your earlier interaction on the HIV Prevention site and agree entirely with the advice you have been given there.   While some agencies such as the CDC may state there could be a "slight" risk of getting HIV from kissing, the FACT is that there are no instances in which this has ever been shown to occur.  So the "slight" chance you mention is the same sort of "slight" chance there is that you will be struck in the head by a meteorite from space while reading this.  That is, there is virtually no chance of this occurring and there is no reason to worry about HIV form kissing of any sort, even if you have a recent cut in your mouth and even with deep kissing.

There is no risk for HIV from the kissing you describe and no reason to worry or to seek testing.

EWH

[Philly07]

Dr., to clarify, when I say I have a slight sore throat, it is basically that I feel it on the one side of my throat when I swallow food, not water, or anything else.  This basically started yesterday.