Aa
Still concerned about my HIV risk, please help!!
Okay, I posted about this a little while ago, but I'm still concerned about my possible HIV exposure:
I had unprotected oral sex with a guy I was dating back in April/May. He's been with 10 girls before me, but he'd use condoms for sex unless he knew for sure the girls were on some form of birth control. I gave him oral maybe 10 times in total (and that's probably overestimating it), but I never let him come in my mouth. I know I posted that I did not have cuts or sores in my mouth at the time, but a few weeks after the latest oral sex incident (May 23), I had what I thought was a canker sore appear on my gum. I just found out today that I actually have a tooth abscess, but I'm not having much pain because a fistula has formed that is allowing this abscess to drain periodically. I'll be getting a root canal next week. The abscess isn't open, it's sort of just like a pimple on my gum.
A couple weeks after I gave oral, I also started to get a sore throat. It was never severe, but I was diagnosed with strep on June 22 because the back of my throat had white patches and my lymph nodes were enlarged. I was treated with penicillin for 7 days, but my symptoms began to come back, so I was put on for another seven days. I have since had a sore throat almost every day (never severe, but sometimes just a tiny bit red). I went to the doctor yesterday and he said that it could be due to environmental factors or a virus. I also had emergency ankle surgery last Friday, 7/27, so I'm sure that's contributing to my current sore throat due to the intubation tube from the anesthesia. My doctor suggested I take zinc tablets, and my dad has been checking my throat and said that it is no longer red, though it does hurt a little bit.
I also believe I'm getting a yeast infection, due to some vaginal itching and frequent urination. I've had the itching for a few weeks now, but I haven't had a chance to ask my doctor about it because I've been in Ireland; I'll call him tomorrow and discuss my symptoms. I started having these symptoms a few days after I finished my antibiotics (or maybe even during the antibiotics treatment), so I'm wondering if that could be the cause.
I do not recall having a fever when I had strep; I believe I was only tired. I'm just incredibly nervous because I don't see how I could have all of these infections in one summer without there being some kind of underlying factor. Maybe I'm just being super paranoid, because this guy I was dating came down with what I believe was mono about halfway through our relationship (he never got tested, but there was a week or so where he was extremely exhausted). I do not recall if he had a fever or rash or anything like that.
Should I worry about this, as far as oral sex being a risk for HIV transmission? I'm sure I'm probably blowing this whole HIV thing out of proportion anyway; I just saw some stats from the CDC stating that the number of people with HIV in the US is approximately 1.2 million. Since I'm a college student (as is the guy that I'm dating), the likelihood of him having HIV anyway is probably pretty slim, right? I'm sure my anxiety is doing me no favors as far as my other symptoms are concerned, either, and I know I do have very logical medical reasons for my other symptoms in the first place.
I guess what I'm looking for is just a little reassurance. Obviously I'm not educated enough about HIV and it's transmission, and there's plenty of confusing and misleading information on the internet about HIV. I've read that HIV can absolutely be transmitted via oral sex and that there are several documented cases from oral sex alone. I'm just really nervous because, like I said, I think it's incredibly strange that I've had all of these symptoms all summer, right after I had a potential exposure to HIV. I can't get to the doctor right now due to my ankle surgery, but I will be seeing my OB/GYN in mid-to-late August for my annual checkup, so I'm sure she'll be able to allay some of my fears then, right? I just don't want to worry any more, so reassurance would be great. Thank you again!
I had unprotected oral sex with a guy I was dating back in April/May. He's been with 10 girls before me, but he'd use condoms for sex unless he knew for sure the girls were on some form of birth control. I gave him oral maybe 10 times in total (and that's probably overestimating it), but I never let him come in my mouth. I know I posted that I did not have cuts or sores in my mouth at the time, but a few weeks after the latest oral sex incident (May 23), I had what I thought was a canker sore appear on my gum. I just found out today that I actually have a tooth abscess, but I'm not having much pain because a fistula has formed that is allowing this abscess to drain periodically. I'll be getting a root canal next week. The abscess isn't open, it's sort of just like a pimple on my gum.
A couple weeks after I gave oral, I also started to get a sore throat. It was never severe, but I was diagnosed with strep on June 22 because the back of my throat had white patches and my lymph nodes were enlarged. I was treated with penicillin for 7 days, but my symptoms began to come back, so I was put on for another seven days. I have since had a sore throat almost every day (never severe, but sometimes just a tiny bit red). I went to the doctor yesterday and he said that it could be due to environmental factors or a virus. I also had emergency ankle surgery last Friday, 7/27, so I'm sure that's contributing to my current sore throat due to the intubation tube from the anesthesia. My doctor suggested I take zinc tablets, and my dad has been checking my throat and said that it is no longer red, though it does hurt a little bit.
I also believe I'm getting a yeast infection, due to some vaginal itching and frequent urination. I've had the itching for a few weeks now, but I haven't had a chance to ask my doctor about it because I've been in Ireland; I'll call him tomorrow and discuss my symptoms. I started having these symptoms a few days after I finished my antibiotics (or maybe even during the antibiotics treatment), so I'm wondering if that could be the cause.
I do not recall having a fever when I had strep; I believe I was only tired. I'm just incredibly nervous because I don't see how I could have all of these infections in one summer without there being some kind of underlying factor. Maybe I'm just being super paranoid, because this guy I was dating came down with what I believe was mono about halfway through our relationship (he never got tested, but there was a week or so where he was extremely exhausted). I do not recall if he had a fever or rash or anything like that.
Should I worry about this, as far as oral sex being a risk for HIV transmission? I'm sure I'm probably blowing this whole HIV thing out of proportion anyway; I just saw some stats from the CDC stating that the number of people with HIV in the US is approximately 1.2 million. Since I'm a college student (as is the guy that I'm dating), the likelihood of him having HIV anyway is probably pretty slim, right? I'm sure my anxiety is doing me no favors as far as my other symptoms are concerned, either, and I know I do have very logical medical reasons for my other symptoms in the first place.
I guess what I'm looking for is just a little reassurance. Obviously I'm not educated enough about HIV and it's transmission, and there's plenty of confusing and misleading information on the internet about HIV. I've read that HIV can absolutely be transmitted via oral sex and that there are several documented cases from oral sex alone. I'm just really nervous because, like I said, I think it's incredibly strange that I've had all of these symptoms all summer, right after I had a potential exposure to HIV. I can't get to the doctor right now due to my ankle surgery, but I will be seeing my OB/GYN in mid-to-late August for my annual checkup, so I'm sure she'll be able to allay some of my fears then, right? I just don't want to worry any more, so reassurance would be great. Thank you again!
Best Answer
You do not have an HIV concern. If you can't accept that fact seek professional mental help as to why.
I appreciate your reply, Teak, and I thank you for the same information you provided me in my previous post a few weeks ago. However, if what you're posting is true, why is it that the CDC claims that there are "some" reported cases of HIV via oral sex?
Also, one more symptom: I'm not gaining weight. I've literally been actively trying to gain weight and I can't. I've barely exercised for the last month due to vacationing in Ireland and now emergency ankle surgery, and still not putting on a single pound.
Also, one more symptom: I'm not gaining weight. I've literally been actively trying to gain weight and I can't. I've barely exercised for the last month due to vacationing in Ireland and now emergency ankle surgery, and still not putting on a single pound.
No incident HIV infections among MSM who practice exclusively oral sex.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. WePpC2072)??Balls JE, Evans JL, Dilley J, Osmond D, Shiboski S, Shiboski C, Klausner J, McFarland W, Greenspan D, Page-Shafer K?University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
Oral transmission of HIV, reality or fiction? An update
J Campo1, MA Perea1, J del Romero2, J Cano1, V Hernando2, A Bascones1
Oral Diseases (2006) 12, 219–228
AIDS: Volume 16(17) 22 November 2002 pp 2350-2352
Risk of HIV infection attributable to oral sex among men who have sex with men and in the population of men who have sex with men
Page-Shafer, Kimberlya,b; Shiboski, Caroline Hb; Osmond, Dennis Hc; Dilley, Jamesd; McFarland, Willie; Shiboski, Steve Cc; Klausner, Jeffrey De; Balls, Joycea; Greenspan, Deborahb; Greenspan
Page-Shafer K, Veugelers PJ, Moss AR, Strathdee S, Kaldor JM, van Griensven GJ. Sexual risk behavior and risk factors for HIV-1 seroconversion in homosexual men participating in the Tricontinental Seroconverter Study, 1982-1994 [published erratum appears in Am J Epidemiol 1997 15 Dec; 146(12):1076]. Am J Epidemiol 1997, 146:531-542.
Studies which show the fallacy of relying on anecdotal evidence as opposed to carefully controlled study insofar as HIV transmission risk is concerned:
Jenicek M. "Clinical Case Reporting" in Evidence-Based Medicine. Oxford: Butterworth–Heinemann; 1999:117
Saltzman SP, Stoddard AM, McCusker J, Moon MW, Mayer KH. Reliability of self-reported sexual behavior risk factors for HIV infection in homosexual men. Public Health Rep. 1987 102(6):692–697.Nov–Dec;
Catania JA, Gibson DR, Chitwood DD, Coates TJ. Methodological problems in AIDS behavioral research: influences on measurement error and participation bias in studies of sexual behavior. Psychol Bull. 1990 Nov;108(3):339–362.
There is no debate (among experts) about the HIV risks associated with oral sex. The risk is so low that almost nobody who cares for HIV infected patients has ever had a patient believed to have been infected that way. Among experts, it's a semantic issue about using terms like "no risk" and "very low risk". There is no difference between my or Dr. Hook's use of "low risk" and other experts' "no risk".
DR. HANSFIELD
"And oral sex is basically safe sex -- completely safe with respect to HIV and although not zero risk for other STDs, the chance of infection is far lower than for unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Please educate yourself about the real risks. If you stick with oral sex and condom-protected vaginal or anal sex, you have no HIV worries and very little worry about other STDs. " DR HANSFIELD
"I am sure you can find lots of people who believe that HIV is transmitted by oral sex, but you will not find scientific data to support this unrealistic concern..." DR HOOK
"HIV is not spread by touching, masturbation, oral sex or condom protected sex."- DR. HOOK
in the public HIV Prevention forum of MedHelp, TEAK and the other moderators maintain that oral sex in all forms is a zero risk activity. Would you agree with this assessment?
I TOTALLY AGREE / DR GARCIA
"HIV is not spread by masturbation, through oral sex, through kissing or other casual contact." Dr. Hook
"The observation on thousands and thousands of observations is that HIV is not spread by oral sex (of any sort)." DR HOOK
"I would not say your risk ,if he had HIV is "slim to none"- that's too high. I would say they are effectively zero. How much of his ejaculate or other genital secretions you may have swallowed makes no difference. EWH "
"As far as HIV is concerned, there is no known risk of getting HIV from performing oral sex on an infected partner, even if that person's genital secretions get into your eyes or if you swallow." Dr.Hook
HIV is not spread by oral sex, giving or receiving, even if sores, gum disease or blood is present
DR HOOK
The fact is that there are no cases in which HIV has been proven to be transmitted by oral sex, including fellatio.. EWH
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. WePpC2072)??Balls JE, Evans JL, Dilley J, Osmond D, Shiboski S, Shiboski C, Klausner J, McFarland W, Greenspan D, Page-Shafer K?University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
Oral transmission of HIV, reality or fiction? An update
J Campo1, MA Perea1, J del Romero2, J Cano1, V Hernando2, A Bascones1
Oral Diseases (2006) 12, 219–228
AIDS: Volume 16(17) 22 November 2002 pp 2350-2352
Risk of HIV infection attributable to oral sex among men who have sex with men and in the population of men who have sex with men
Page-Shafer, Kimberlya,b; Shiboski, Caroline Hb; Osmond, Dennis Hc; Dilley, Jamesd; McFarland, Willie; Shiboski, Steve Cc; Klausner, Jeffrey De; Balls, Joycea; Greenspan, Deborahb; Greenspan
Page-Shafer K, Veugelers PJ, Moss AR, Strathdee S, Kaldor JM, van Griensven GJ. Sexual risk behavior and risk factors for HIV-1 seroconversion in homosexual men participating in the Tricontinental Seroconverter Study, 1982-1994 [published erratum appears in Am J Epidemiol 1997 15 Dec; 146(12):1076]. Am J Epidemiol 1997, 146:531-542.
Studies which show the fallacy of relying on anecdotal evidence as opposed to carefully controlled study insofar as HIV transmission risk is concerned:
Jenicek M. "Clinical Case Reporting" in Evidence-Based Medicine. Oxford: Butterworth–Heinemann; 1999:117
Saltzman SP, Stoddard AM, McCusker J, Moon MW, Mayer KH. Reliability of self-reported sexual behavior risk factors for HIV infection in homosexual men. Public Health Rep. 1987 102(6):692–697.Nov–Dec;
Catania JA, Gibson DR, Chitwood DD, Coates TJ. Methodological problems in AIDS behavioral research: influences on measurement error and participation bias in studies of sexual behavior. Psychol Bull. 1990 Nov;108(3):339–362.
There is no debate (among experts) about the HIV risks associated with oral sex. The risk is so low that almost nobody who cares for HIV infected patients has ever had a patient believed to have been infected that way. Among experts, it's a semantic issue about using terms like "no risk" and "very low risk". There is no difference between my or Dr. Hook's use of "low risk" and other experts' "no risk".
DR. HANSFIELD
"And oral sex is basically safe sex -- completely safe with respect to HIV and although not zero risk for other STDs, the chance of infection is far lower than for unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Please educate yourself about the real risks. If you stick with oral sex and condom-protected vaginal or anal sex, you have no HIV worries and very little worry about other STDs. " DR HANSFIELD
"I am sure you can find lots of people who believe that HIV is transmitted by oral sex, but you will not find scientific data to support this unrealistic concern..." DR HOOK
"HIV is not spread by touching, masturbation, oral sex or condom protected sex."- DR. HOOK
in the public HIV Prevention forum of MedHelp, TEAK and the other moderators maintain that oral sex in all forms is a zero risk activity. Would you agree with this assessment?
I TOTALLY AGREE / DR GARCIA
"HIV is not spread by masturbation, through oral sex, through kissing or other casual contact." Dr. Hook
"The observation on thousands and thousands of observations is that HIV is not spread by oral sex (of any sort)." DR HOOK
"I would not say your risk ,if he had HIV is "slim to none"- that's too high. I would say they are effectively zero. How much of his ejaculate or other genital secretions you may have swallowed makes no difference. EWH "
"As far as HIV is concerned, there is no known risk of getting HIV from performing oral sex on an infected partner, even if that person's genital secretions get into your eyes or if you swallow." Dr.Hook
HIV is not spread by oral sex, giving or receiving, even if sores, gum disease or blood is present
DR HOOK
The fact is that there are no cases in which HIV has been proven to be transmitted by oral sex, including fellatio.. EWH
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You had strep throat, that has nothing to do with HIV, it's a bacterial infection. You developed a yeast infection from antibiotics...super common..I get them each and EVERY time I'm on antibiotics.
You said it best yourself:
I'm sure I'm probably blowing this whole HIV thing out of proportion anyway; I just saw some stats from the CDC stating that the number of people with HIV in the US is approximately 1.2 million. Since I'm a college student (as is the guy that I'm dating), the likelihood of him having HIV anyway is probably pretty slim, right? I'm sure my anxiety is doing me no favors as far as my other symptoms are concerned, either, and I know I do have very logical medical reasons for my other symptoms in the first place.
Should I worry about this, as far as oral sex being a risk for HIV transmission?
Not for one more minute.