I had a discussion online with an hiv expert regarding HIV via oral sex(receving). I am posting it here for you all to read.
communityeducator5:
Hello, I am a MAP AIDSLine Community Educator. How May I help You?
You:
I have a question regarding hiv and oral sex
communityeducator5:
What's your question?
You:
I recieved oral sex from a girl yesterday unprotected which lasted about 1 and half minute and i came in her mouth? what are my risk for hiv from this encounter
You:
??
communityeducator5:
Since HIV is only transmitted by blood, Semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk, the risk in oral sex is always to the person whose mouth is involved. You were not at risk at all for HIV.
You:
I have read online that receving and giving both posses a risk to HIV?
You:
why sites have different opinion on this issue
You:
???
You:
there is medhelp forum online and there they clearly tell you that oral sex is zero risk for hiv
You:
and than you go on to some other website like CDC they will tell you that you can get HIV from oral sex
communityeducator5:
There is a lot of misinformation on the Internet. Oral sex is generally a low risk for HIV. And again since HIV is only transmitted by those four fluids, how could some one's mouth transmit HIV? HIV is not transmitted by saliva.
You:
so at the end what it does to me is that it makes my anxiety go up and gives me sleepless night
communityeducator5:
I'm sorry that there is such conflicting information on line. The best tihing is for you to know which fluids transmit HIV and keep those from getting inside your body.
You:
SO hiv is not transmitted through (recieving) oral sex even if the other partner has bleeding gums or some sort of blood in her mouth?
You:
even on this site it states "Unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. "
communityeducator5:
These scenarios are not realistic. Would you have oral sex with someone who had blood in her mouth? There are lots of blood borne diseases and people know that it's unhealthy to get someonelse'd blood on themselves.
You:
You are correct I didn't see any blood while recieving oral sex not after when i pulled out
communityeducator5:
And we know that thee have been some cases of transmission by oral sex, so we state that on our web site. But given the routes of transmission, it would be ther person whose mouth is involved who is at risk (a relatively low risk).
You:
if you don't mind me asking
You:
can you please tell me what is your background related to hiv/aids ?
You:
so i can be sure and stop worrying about it
communityeducator5:
I have been working in this field since the mid 90's and am trained as an HIV prevention educator. We are the official HIV educational phone site for the state of Minnesota.
You:
O ok
communityeducator5:
If I thought you were at risk for HIV, it would be my job to encourage you to get a test.
You:
one more question than i would liek to ask since you seem to have quite an experience on hiv
You:
my question is
You:
one encounter with an infected can transmit hiv? or more than one encounter are need to transmit hiv? this is regarding vaginal sex.
You:
what does the research says about this
communityeducator5:
Although a person can become infected by one encounter, we know that many people have multiple exposures before they bacome infected. And we know that there are conditions that make it more likely that a person will get HIV if exposed. FOr example, if the sex is very rough and there is tearing and bleeding, or if a person has an active SDI (like Gonorrhea or Chlaymidia). Using a condom properly can prevent transmission by vaginal sex.
You:
there are people who belive that HIV is most common in gay people
You:
what do you have to say about this?
You:
I also know people who belive that if you have sex with females only you will not get HIV
communityeducator5:
World-wide, most infections are by heterosexual transmission, from mother to child, or by sharing needles. In certain cities there are high rates of incidence among gay men.
You:
ok
communityeducator5:
What most people don't know about HIV is that a person is most infectious in the weeks and months right after they themselves have been infected. So many people transmit HIV who don't realize that they have it.
You:
I got tested for HIV last week. the testing method was quick 20 mins oral testing. I took the test after 35 days of possible exposure. The result was negative. Can i rely on that result. Also how accurate is oral hiv testing in which you rub your gums and inside your cheecks?
communityeducator5:
The doctors who advise us, say that a person can be confident about the results of a test at 3 months. We know that most people develop HIV antibodies (what the tests look for) by the end of the first month after infection. However about 10% take longer to develop antibodies, so 3 months is recommended. But a non-reactive test at 35 days is a good stastical indicator that when you test at the end of 3 months that test will be non reactive. The oral test is approved by the Federal Drug Administration, so it is very reliable.
You:
o ok
You:
one last question
communityeducator5:
Do you have any more questions?
communityeducator5:
I am happy to answer questions. It's my job.
You:
in your 15 year in this field have you ever known anyone who got infected through receving oral sex?
communityeducator5:
No, I have not.
You:
so i can be 110% that receving oral sex is safe sex?
You:
as far as hiv concern
communityeducator5:
It's safe with respect to HV transmission. There are other sexually transmitted diseases that can be acquired through oral sex for the person who is receiving it-- Herpes and Gonnorhea for example.
You:
o ok
You:
do u know what are the chances of those std's through oral
You:
??
communityeducator5:
Do you have a question?
You:
chances of herpes and Gonnorhea through oral sex (receving)?
communityeducator5:
This is not my area of expertise. I don't think it's nearly as common as through genital sex, but I don't have any statistics. My focus her is only on HIV.
You:
o ok
You:
Thank you so much for your time
communityeducator5:
You are certainly welcome.
You:
this conversation was very helpful
communityeducator5:
Glad to hear that.
You:
i will post this in a hiv forum which can help others to educate about hiv
You:
Thank you