Risk: Serodiscordant & Mouth ulcer

[xineef]

I am HIV- and have been seeing an HIV+ man for about a month now.  We are sexually active but careful and practice safer sex.  Until a recent screw-up on my part...

I performed oral sex on him several weeks ago while I had an oral ulcer/cold sore on my gumline.  He did not ejaculate in my mouth, though pre-ejaculate was in my mouth.

I know that oral sex is considered safer, but also that open cuts and sores raise the risk of infection.  I do not know his viral load.  Could you provide some perspective on how risky this mistake actually was?

Most resources say to get a 3-month HIV test after exposure - which in most cases is maddeningly long time to live with this uncertainty.  Some perspective on my assumed risk would ease this.  Is an earlier date reasonable?

[Teak]

People who are sexually active should be tested annually. They aren't talking about people in monogamist relationship.

[ziggy1706]

WHy in 6 month intervals chapeau? Wouldn't 3 months still be considered conclusive?

[troggs]

  It's actually said that people with risk factors for hiv infection should test in six month intervals.

[regularjoey]

It isn't "no risk", but it's very low risk, close to zero.  You don't need to test over this.  People that practice safe sex in serodiscordant relationships need to test periodically, like once a year.

[Teak]

What was the risk? No ejaculation and if there were any precum your saliva would inhibit the virus. So there was no risk. Not to mention if the person is on antivirals and more than likely would have a low to undetectable VL.

[xineef]

Why do you say "no risk", Teak?

[Teak]

You were never at risk of contracting HIV.

[HSci34]

Your risk is still low. The data indicates that on average, HIV is transmitted roughly 1 time for every 10 000 encounters of oral sex. That is equal to giving someone a blowjob everyday for 27 years and being infected once. So to reassure you, the odds are in your favour.

That being said, it's better to get tested. You are correct, ulcers do increase your risk for contracting the virus. Despite this, the occurence is slim (and some doctor's feel there is no solid documentation on transmission only via the oral route). How many weeks ago did this happen?

Most people (85-90%) will test positive by 4 weeks.
At 6-8 weeks, 95-99% of people will have tested positive.

In your case, I would suggest a confirmatory test at the 12 week mark (although if you get tested earlier, particularly at 6-8 weeks... this result is VERY VERY VERY unlikely to change).

So, in summary - your chances are slim, but there is still a low risk and I would suggest testing.