Thanks in advance to anyone who attempts to answer this convoluted question!
I've read differing opinions and statistics on the risk of contracting HIV and Hep to the giver of fellatio. Some studies say that there is a miniscule risk, and the expert M.D. on this site reports there is basically no risk. I would really appreciate links to information that supports that as my situation is somewhat more complex (and so really, those links might not even pertain to me, but I still wish to review the clinical findings/sample sizes/confounds, etc.).
I have organ involved lupus and have been recently unsuccessfully treated with the IV monoclonal antibody med Rituxan which depletes properties of B-cell production for up to 1 year. Both the lupus and the medication get me (correctly) labeled as immuno-suppressed or deficient status, even though my white cell counts are close to normal, etc. blah blah blah. As part of my lupus sequelae I have chronically low platelets, which at times cause ideopathic bruising and (possibly relevant to my question) mild gum bleeding. I have not been on prednisone for several years, and my main medication is IVIG which does not cause additional immune suppression.
Do those factors increase my risk of catching HIV or Hep from giving unprotected oral sex to a man? To a woman? The men that I've been with sexually have generally classified themselves as resolutely heterosexual, but that doesn't mean that from time to time when a strap-on is used (by me) that they aren't all too happy with the event. I'm not quite naive enough to think that I'm the ONLY form of anal they've ever had ;-)
So...immune suppressed bi-sexual woman giving head to a possibly bisexual male...or female. Am I at a *real* increased risk or is such a thing negligible? Also, what on earth is the deal with swallowing/spitting?? Does NOT swallowing actually decrease risk or is that an old wive's tale told by people semen phobic ninnies?
Thanks again, and peace and prayers to all of those who are eagerly and nervously awaiting test times/results.