[Question #10707] HIV risk from kissing
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20 months ago
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Doctors,
In October I asked a question about my risk from receiving unprotected oral sex. Since that time I have twice made out with the same partner. It has been a week since we last kissed, mostly lips but some French kissing as well, and I have developed a sore throat. I know it is flu season but this has caused me concern. I dont mean to ask a paranoia driven question but searching through other answers provided didn't give me a clear understanding. My circumstances are that I received unprotected oral 4 months ago. Her last partner brfore me was 5 months ago, so 1 month before she gave me head. I was tested for syphilis (rpr), HIV (4th gen), HSV 1 & 2 (igg) and urinalysis for Clamydia,ghonnorhea and trich at 1, 4, and 9 weeks. She was tested 2 weeks after giving me head and then again at 5 weeks, same tests as mine. My questions are,
1. If a partner tests negative after an encounter, how much faith can a person put into that considering incubation and window periods.
2. What are the STI risks from kissing, particularly with regard to HIV?
3. Considering mine and my partners tests mentioned above, do you think there is any need for me to test again after the kissing episode or can our tests be considered for sure conclusive.
Thank you
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
20 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry that you felt the need. Your concerns are misplaced. Most of the questions you ask could have been answered by reading our interaction from a month ago. Your partner's negative tests following your encounter prove that she could not have infected you - her 5 week testing was unnecessary and only serve to confirm that she could not have infected you.. Further, your tests taken 9 weeks after receipt of oral sex from your low risk partner prove that you were not infected. There is no scientific reason for continued concern of testing. In response to your specific questions:
1. If a partner tests negative after an encounter, how much faith can a person put into that considering incubation and window periods.
Concerns about incubating and window periods are misplaced. Persons do not transmit infection during incubation periods. The term "window" period refers to times when tests may not detect infection. Window periods are typically only a few days in length and very rarely lead to infection.
2. What are the STI risks from kissing, particularly with regard to HIV?
There is no risk for acquistion of HIV from kissing, including French kissing. If a partner has oral gonorrhea, kissing may rarely transmit infection from one person to another but again, this is very rare.
3. Considering mine and my partners tests mentioned above, do you think there is any need for me to test again after the kissing episode or can our tests be considered for sure conclusive.
Considering all that you have reported,, there is no scientific or medical reason for further testing for you or your partner. I urge you to put your concerns aside and move forward without concern. EWH
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20 months ago
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Thank you Doctor. Is it possible for a panel to be negative at 9 weeks and then turn positive?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
20 months ago
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No, why do you ask. EWH---
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20 months ago
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I suppose that was my way of asking if I can let this incident go. If my results at 9 weeks were negative and the only contact I have had since has been a few encounters with kissing only, then there is no logical reason to worry about infection or further testing bc those 9 week results were conclusive and the kissing encounters were no risk events. Does that sum up your responses?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
20 months ago
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As I said in my original response- " I urge you to put your concerns aside and move forward without concern." That answer is not going to change. Your results are conclusive, your encounter)s) were no risk. There is no reason for further testing and no reason for concern.
As you know, we provide up to 3 responses to each client's questions. This is my 3rd response. Therefore the thread will be closed shortly without further responses. Take care. Please don't worry. EWH
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