[Question #11050] Kissing Hiv risk
17 months ago
|
Hello Drs,
As you can see from my previous questions this isn't my first rodeo with anxiety fueled questions. I'd like to think I've made some strides in dealing with it as it has been awhile, but alas I do have another question that I hope you can shed some of your expertise on as my fight with anxiety is ongoing.
To get to the point, I had dental work yesterday(a temporary crown installed) and a filling on another tooth and today I had an encounter that consisted of a brief French kiss. I have read through some of the previous posts and am aware of theoretical risks as well as salivas ability to inhibit the spread of hiv in particular. I was wondering given my circumstance of having a temporary crown, and a possibility of the person having an open sore, etc. Does it raise my risk in any capacity? Is a temporary crown sufficient enough to prevent disease from traveling directly into my bloodstream? Or is it essentially an open cavity in my own mouth?
As always thank you again for this resource. At the very least I hope my question/your answer can help someone else in the future.
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
17 months ago
|
Welcome back to the forum. Congratulations on having avoided, asking further anxiety, driven questions for nearly 4 years.
Having a temporary crown placed, with all of the manipulation that is part of that process, does not represent a meaningful risk factor for acquisition of HIV. Kissing, even open mouth “French” kissing is simply a virtually no risk event, and the presence of recent dental work, as well as gum disease, cavities, or oral sores does not change that fact. I see no scientific or medical reason for concern and no scientific or medical reason for testing related to the event you describe. EWH.
---
17 months ago
|
Thank you for your response Dr Hook. It definitely put my mind at ease a bit. My anxiety is wrapped in guilt/shame as it was with a CSW but rationally speaking I understand it was virtually no risk.
I was wondering if you could clear up one more concern? I came across this particular cdc article in a previous question, which definitely fueled the flames of anxiety a bit. (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00048364.htm)
While reading the article though it does indicate that "deep kissing" as well as poor dental hygiene was what could have possibly caused said rare documented infection. As my instance was brief, does duration/intensity raise/lessen the theoretical risk?
Also are there any other stis I should be on the look out for?
Thank you again dr!
I
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
17 months ago
|
As it is the government agency, and taking the stance that they cannot “afford” to be incorrect, CDC pronouncements and risk estimates tend to be very high conservative. I remain quite skeptical, regarding any meaningful risk oh HIV associated with deep kissing.
FYI, there have been reports of occasional transmission of oral STI’s, most specifically, gonorrhea, through oral sex, and French kissing. These events tend to be relatively uncommon, but have occurred. If you are concerned, a throat swab for gonorrhea is easily performed and would provide conclusive results at this time. EWH
---
17 months ago
|
I understand the rule of 3 questions so I'd be remiss if I didn't use my last one.
1) Just to confirm the dental work including but not limited to the temp crown should be a nonfactor in hiv transmission? Even if my mouth is a little beat up? And her status is unknown?
2)Testing for gonorrhea is reliable hours after the event?
3) Hiv testing is not necessary?
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
17 months ago
|
Final responses
1. Correct
2. Yes, testwill provide accurate results any time more than 72 hours after your encounter
3. Correct
EWH
---