Irrational Fear

[gad2323]

Hi Dr's,

First and foremost, thank you for this service, it has provided me with a lot of valuable information.

To make a long story short, I was at bar about a month and a half ago, met a girl I didnt know and we kissed (french kissed) multiple times. That was all. 3 weeks later I got sick and after searching the internet, I came across HIV and my anxiety began to skyrocket. Despite reading numerous posts on this website that kissing does not transmit HIV, I went to a clinic and got tested anyway (this clinic used the oral swab). The test was done about 5 weeks after the incident and it was negative.

Is this good enough and can I forget this whole incident?
Sexually speaking, is it true that HIV is never transmitted without penetration?

This is my only risk, should I test again?

Thanks again for al your help!

G

[gad2323]

Thanks doc for your prompt reply.

Getting tested was an extremely nerve-wrecking experience for me and I dont wish to do it again. I think I'm going to take your advice and accept that I had no risk and move forward with my 5 week negative oral fluid test unless of course there was something I didn't understand in your reply.

I appreciate your service and this forum.

Regards,

G

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question, and for reading reviewing other qeustions like your own.

But I'm not sure how much I can help.  You've probably seen questions much like yours and our replies.  We really can't address every situation as if it were unique.  If we have said a hundred times that kissing doesn't transmit HIV, that HIV is rarely if ever transmitted sexually without penetration, and that blood test results always overrule symptoms that seem worrisome, those are of course the things you can be sure we will say again!

You describe a partner who almost certainly doesn't have HIV and contacts with her that carry no known risk; and it is impossible to have a negative HIV test a couple weeks after start of symptoms of a new HIV infeciton.  

From a medical or risk standpoint, you didn't need testing at all.  If your 5 week test was a duo or "4th generation" blood test, it is conclusive.  If it was a standalone antibody test, it's at least 95% reliable.  It's up to you whether you would like still more reassuarnce beyond my advice.  If so, have another antibody test in a few weeks.

If you decide to be retested, stay relaxed in the meantime.  There is no way it wil be positve.  If you have a regular sex partner, you can safely continue or resume your usual sexual practices.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD