[Question #11079] STIs from Kissing
17 months ago
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Quick question. I was kissing a LOW end sex worker for about 10 seconds. It was not deep French kissing but more open mouth "Sword fight" tongue kissing.
I was reading on the forum and there is some uncertainty about oral gono based on the Australia study.
Based on the events I described:
1. Am I at risk for STIs? I already have HV1
2. Do you recommend I get tested?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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Welcome back. I'm sorry you felt the need, but thanks again for your confidence in our services.
As you may already appreciate, the business about gonorrhea risk from kissing -- so far reported only from the investigators in Australia -- has been limited to men who have sex with men. For some reason, it has not been reported and is believed to be essentially zero risk for sex between men and women. Even among the most sexually active females, such as sex workers, the frequency of oral gonorrhea is very low. And even the results in MSM are controversial; to the extent they are real, undoubtedly any risk depends on prolonged, vigorous kissing with multiple partners. The exposure you describe is no risk at all for gonorrhea, and also for all other STIs. Presumably "HV1" is a typo, you mean HSV1, right? Likely oral herpes? If so, it makes no difference in your risk for oral gonorrhea or anything else. I do not advise you be tested.
This is your fifteenth forum question. On one hand, maybe that's not so many considering it's been over a 7 year period. On the other hand, it may be the forum record! And most of your question deal with obviously low risk situations. While ASHA appreciates the donations (total $375.00), in the future you might consider whether the answers are available elsewhere.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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17 months ago
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Thanks doctor. Everything is clear. Have a good weekend.
17 months ago
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Haha sorry doctor to ask this one last question. The woman I saw was last night about 6pm est. About 4pm (an hour ago) I noticed a cold sore at the top of my bottom lip. What is the chances the cold sore it was from my kissing event? My guess is this is a coincidence; however, when you suffer from OCD like I do, anything is possible. I do have HSV1, but my brain races with what-if thoughts. Thanks.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
17 months ago
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Since you already have HSV1, that was the cause of your possible cold sore -- not a newly acquired infection. The immune system prevents new infections with the HSV type someone already has.---
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