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hay fever, oral and pre-***
On August 9, 2008 I had unprotected oral sex with someone whom I later found out was HIV+. He did not ejaculate in my mouth and the encounter only lasted for maybe 2 minutes, max. I did however get pre-*** in my mouth. Without being too graphic, it tasted salty and it was clear. I pulled his penis out, wiped off a small, clear amount from his penis head and then did not get the taste again. The fact that I did not get the salty taste again in the 2 minute encounter leads me to believe that there wasn't very much pre-*** oozing from his penis.
However, I was suffering from post nasal drip - hay fever - and had a slightly sore throat. Nothing major, didn't really hurt to swallow. Again, hate to be graphic, but I deepthroated him, tho he wasn't fully erect and there was no pain in my throat when doing this.
Does the fact that I had post nasal drip significantly increase my chance of being infected with HIV? I feel fine, other than my continuning hay fever symptoms (no fever, swelling of joints, aches, ect). Should I be tested?
However, I was suffering from post nasal drip - hay fever - and had a slightly sore throat. Nothing major, didn't really hurt to swallow. Again, hate to be graphic, but I deepthroated him, tho he wasn't fully erect and there was no pain in my throat when doing this.
Does the fact that I had post nasal drip significantly increase my chance of being infected with HIV? I feel fine, other than my continuning hay fever symptoms (no fever, swelling of joints, aches, ect). Should I be tested?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No sign. As has been stressed innumerable times on this forum, symptoms -- whether present or absent, and if present, what they are -- almost never is helpful in judging whether someone has a new HIV infection.
That will have to do it for this thread. Take care.
That will have to do it for this thread. Take care.
Doctor, I just realized that my second question in my last post wasn't a question at all:
(The fact that I feel fine and have not shown any symptoms of exposure mean anything> Can I take that as a good sihn or no sign at all?).
DOES the fact that I feel fine and have not shown any symptoms of exposure mean anything? Can I take that as a good sign or no sign at all?
(The fact that I feel fine and have not shown any symptoms of exposure mean anything> Can I take that as a good sihn or no sign at all?).
DOES the fact that I feel fine and have not shown any symptoms of exposure mean anything? Can I take that as a good sign or no sign at all?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Logically, duration of exposure probably affects risk, with higher transmission rates for more prolonged exposure. But I can't put a number to it.
Thank you, Dr. You guys on this forum kick a**.
I did - and always, always ask about STDs and HIV. He told me flat out he was not infected when I asked. I only found out on Monday that he is indeed HIV+ (long story). I don't know anything about his viral load, etc.
I think I will get tested just to be on the safe side.
Just two follow ups:
Does it matter that I only spent 2 mins. max fellating him, or is it more "once it's in the mouth, all potential damage, short of ejaculation, is done?
The fact that I feel fine and have not shown any symptoms of exposure mean anything> Can I take that as a good sihn or no sign at all?
I did - and always, always ask about STDs and HIV. He told me flat out he was not infected when I asked. I only found out on Monday that he is indeed HIV+ (long story). I don't know anything about his viral load, etc.
I think I will get tested just to be on the safe side.
Just two follow ups:
Does it matter that I only spent 2 mins. max fellating him, or is it more "once it's in the mouth, all potential damage, short of ejaculation, is done?
The fact that I feel fine and have not shown any symptoms of exposure mean anything> Can I take that as a good sihn or no sign at all?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Fellatio on an HIV infected male partner has been estimated by CDC to carry roughly 1 chance in 10,000 of transmission to the oral partner. That has not been correlated with whether or not there was ejactulation in the mouth, but presumably the risk would be lower without oral ejaculation than with it. There also are no data on the effect of current allergy or other inflammation involving the throat or upper respiratory passages. However, such conditions are so common that millions of such exposures must occur -- still with only around 1 in 10,000 transmissions. So most likely it doesn't make a big difference. You don't describe (and may not know) about other factors that could make a significant difference, such as the stage and duration of your partner's HIV infection (e.g., viral load), whether or not he is on anti-HIV drugs, and so on.
I don't see that the salty taste makes a difference, by the way. Pre-ejaculate fluid is always present during sexual arousal, even if not overtly visible or tasted.
All in all, your risk was very low, but some risk certainly was present. Whether or not you get tested is up to you; you will need to make your own judgment, based on this risk assessment. In general, HIV testing after specific exposures is less important than simply having routine HIV tests at regular intervals, like every year for sexually active persons at average risk or as often as every 3 months for very sexually active men who have sex with men. If you haven't been tested recently, this seems a good time.
Now comes the lecture. I am concerned by the fact that you learned your partner had HIV only after the exposure and not before. Did you ask before it happened? Although people can lie, most do not when asked directly. You don't say your sex, but "do ask, do tell" is especially important for men who have sex with men, and certainly wise for all people having sex with new partners. In the long run, routinely asking about and sharing HIV status is just as important an element of safe sex as is condom use. I hope you'll think about it for the future.
Best wishes and stay safe-- HHH, MD
I don't see that the salty taste makes a difference, by the way. Pre-ejaculate fluid is always present during sexual arousal, even if not overtly visible or tasted.
All in all, your risk was very low, but some risk certainly was present. Whether or not you get tested is up to you; you will need to make your own judgment, based on this risk assessment. In general, HIV testing after specific exposures is less important than simply having routine HIV tests at regular intervals, like every year for sexually active persons at average risk or as often as every 3 months for very sexually active men who have sex with men. If you haven't been tested recently, this seems a good time.
Now comes the lecture. I am concerned by the fact that you learned your partner had HIV only after the exposure and not before. Did you ask before it happened? Although people can lie, most do not when asked directly. You don't say your sex, but "do ask, do tell" is especially important for men who have sex with men, and certainly wise for all people having sex with new partners. In the long run, routinely asking about and sharing HIV status is just as important an element of safe sex as is condom use. I hope you'll think about it for the future.
Best wishes and stay safe-- HHH, MD
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