[Question #10344] Oral sex hepatitis risk.
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23 months ago
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Dear doctor ,
I am a 45 year old married man living in France. A week ago , I engaged in oral sex with another unknown man ( his penis in my mouth ) This lasted for about 2 minutes , without ejaculation.
Filled with fear , I went to the hospital where I was informed that there was no risk for hiv , no risk for hepatitis B and in do not need test for this. However , afterwards , I received contradictory information. A nurse in a center told me that I had taken a risk for hepatitis b and that in should be tested in 3 month. My blood test revealed a total hbs antibody level of 4 IU/ml. Being married I think about Having no sex relation with my wife next 3 month. Here are my questions :
- what is the risk of hepatitis b from putting a penis in my mouth , short blowjob without ejaculation ?
- what does my HBs level indicate ? Am I partially vaccinated ? ( don’t remember of it and don’t think so
- would you recommended I get tested for hepatitis b ?
- considering that my wife is vaccinated against epatitis b , should I wait for results of this test before having unprotected inter course with her ?
Thanks a lot
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment.
The information you received on HIV is not quite correct. Current estimates are, that if your partner had untreated HIV infection, your risk for acquiring that infection from performing oral sex on that person would be less than 1 in 10,000. When that estimate is combined with the fact that it is unlikely that your partner had untreated HIV, your risk of acquiring HIV is infinitesimal, 1 in a million or less but not zero. As for hepatitis, there are not data to suggest that hepatitis B or C is acquired through performing oral sex on an infected person. My sincere advice is to not worry about HIV or hepatitis from the exposure you describe and to move forward with your life without concern. Thus, in response to your specific questions:
- what is the risk of hepatitis b from putting a penis in my mouth , short blowjob without ejaculation ?
See above. There is no known risk.
- what does my HBs level indicate ? Am I partially vaccinated ? ( don’t remember of it and don’t think so
This is a low, non-protective level of hepatitis B antibodies. In the absence of known vaccination I would suggest this value indicated that while you could get hepatitis B if exposed, there is no evidence that you have had it in the past or have been vaccinated.
- would you recommended I get tested for hepatitis b ?
I see no need for testing for hepatitis of any sort, nor for HIV.
- considering that my wife is vaccinated against epatitis b , should I wait for results of this test before having unprotected inter course with her ?
No, I would not suggest hesitating to have unprotected sex with your wife because of the exposure you describe.
I hope this information is helpful. I would not worry and see no need for testing. EWH
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23 months ago
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Hello Doctor, and thank you for your response. Upon rereading your reassuring message, I realize that I forgot to mention a crucial point (although I believe you may have already deduced it): this oral encounter was not protected by a condom. Does this change your assessment? I would also like to delve into two points further: you mentioned the absence of a known risk for HBV. Does this mean that such a case has never been reported, and can we infer a potential contamination probability as you indicated for HIV? Lastly, on the advice of the center, which had a different opinion from yours, I received a dose of hepatitis B vaccine after the risky encounter. Would a test indicating an HBs level greater than 10 IU/ml a month after assure retroactive protection? Thank you so much.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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You are correct, I presumed that the encounter you described did not involve a condom. No change in my assessment.
I am not aware of any proven instance of hepatitis B acquired through performing oral sex on an infected person.
A hepatitis B antibody value of greater than 10 IU/ml a month after vaccination would indicate a protective antibody level at that time but it would not necessarily assure you that you had a protective level retroactively.
I really would not be concerned about hepatitis B from the exposure you describe. I am pleased to hear however that you have proceeded with vaccination- it will protect you going forward. EWH
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23 months ago
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Dear doctor, thank you for these answers. My last question will be related to HPV. The relationship I had carries a risk. I am well aware that all this is becoming a psychological and guilt problem, but I can no longer have a relationship with my wife because I am afraid of transmitting HPV to her and that she will pay the consequences for years to come. late. I must recognize that my relationship is in danger. You advised him not to hesitate to resume relations with my wife but do you think that this is risky for HPV and that I should take additional precautions?
Thank you so much.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Your concerns about HPV are misplaced. The risk for acquisition of HPV from the exposure you describe is low- even if your partner had HPV, oral infections are relatively rare, and when they occur are rarely transmitted to others. Further, HPV is an innocuous infection which is self-limited in most persons resolving without therapy over a period of 1-2 years. Finally routine reproductive health screening in women would detect any serious HPV infection which might be present and is readily managed.
Please don't worry. Once again, I see no reason for concern and no reason to abstain from unprotected sex with your wife.
This will conclude this thread. EWH
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