[Question #12184] Fear of HIV
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9 months ago
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Hello dr. For the last year and a half, since splitting up from my wife, I've had a fear of getting HIV from bar hook ups. I've only had unprotected sex with a women once in that time frame. I have had at least 3 hiv lab 4th gen lab test. The last one was on Sept 1 of this year negative. Since that test I've only made out heavy with at least 3 women no sex. I was not thinking about HIv until I went to my Dr October 28. He said my bloodwork looked good but I noticed my WBC count was 4 4, which he wasn't concerned about. But last September 2023 it was 9.5. He told me l, I was good and he would see me in 1yr. When I left I looked at what Labs he orderd and 1 of the labs was for an HIV test. He didn't mention anything about an HIV test to me.
Questions.
1. Do i need to worry about HIV from the heavy kissing from the 3 women. There is no possible way of knowing if they had blood in there mouth
2. Odds of HIV from kissing heavy
3. Why in your opinion would my dr order an HIV test a year from now.
4. Why would my wbc go from 9.4 to 4.4 in a year.
5. Can heavy drinking and eating once a day for the past month affect wbc
6. How long after getting HIV are wbc affected from the virus and in what way are they affected
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your questions. Thanks as well for your implied confidence in our service. I'll be glad to comment. FYI, as a generalization, there is relatively little risk of acquiring HIV as you re-enter dating. Most women do not have HIV, most single exposures do not lead to infection (the estimated risk of acquiring HIV from a single unprotected encounter with an untreated HIV infected woman is less than 1 in 2000), and condoms are highly protective. It is reasonable as you consider entering into a sexual relationship to ask potential partners about their history of STIs and testing- it can be the basis for increased confidence in a relationship. In response to your specific questions:
1. Do i need to worry about HIV from the heavy kissing from the 3 women. There is no possible way of knowing if they had blood in there mouth
There is no risk of HIV from heavy kissing. Thisis the case even if you or your partner has gum/dental disease, bleeding or an open sore in the mouth
2. Odds of HIV from kissing heavy
Virtually zero
3. Why in your opinion would my dr order an HIV test a year from now.
You are single and dating. He/she's taking good care of you
4. Why would my wbc go from 9.4 to 4.4 in a year.
This sort of fluctuation if common and non-specific. In the absence of any specific complaints, it would not raise any concern in virtually all health care providers.
5. Can heavy drinking and eating once a day for the past month affect wbc
Heavy drinking can suppress the WBC. Your's is at the lower limits of normal but still normal and should not be a concern.
6. How long after getting HIV are wbc affected from the virus and in what way are they affected
It takes years for HIV to advance to place where it would cause a low WBC.
Please don't worry. As I explained above, your risk in miniscule. EWH
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9 months ago
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Thanks for the quick response. Few more follow up statements and questions..
1. I didn't really talk to my doctor about my personal life. I assumed he order the HIV test along with regular blood work, because of my wbc even though he said everything looked good. Would the WBC warrant a test?( test is not scheduled until next year October on my next check up).
2. The last time I had unprotected acual sex with a women was 1 and a half years before my sept 2024 hiv test. I've only heavy kissed a few girls after the test that I met at the bar. Do I need to test again and if so how long do I wait.
3. I tend to bite skin from my bottom lip often. Does this raise my chances if there was blood in any of the women's mouth.
4. Has anybody ever gotten HIV from what I described from kissing. Some sources on the internet say it's possible, some say impossible.
Sorry for all the questions. I grew up in the 90s and seemed like HIV has always been in the back of my head. They used to really scare us back then
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9 months ago
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Also. If there is a small risk from kissing how does a person protect himself. Like condoms protect during intercourse
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
9 months ago
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Straight to your follow-up questions:
1. I didn't really talk to my doctor about my personal life. I assumed he order the HIV test along with regular blood work, because of my wbc even though he said everything looked good. Would the WBC warrant a test?( test is not scheduled until next year October on my next check up).
I cannot explain why he chose to do an HIV test. I encourage my patients to ask if they wonder about their tests of the test results. You can wait till the results come back and ask or now. I am confident that you at not at meaningful risk for HIV from what you've said and am confident that he would not be worried about your WBC- you should not be either.
2. The last time I had unprotected acual sex with a women was 1 and a half years before my sept 2024 hiv test. I've only heavy kissed a few girls after the test that I met at the bar. Do I need to test again and if so how long do I wait.
No, as I explained above- kissing others did not put you at risk for HIV.
3. I tend to bite skin from my bottom lip often. Does this raise my chances if there was blood in any of the women's mouth.
No- you are seriously over thinking this.
4. Has anybody ever gotten HIV from what I described from kissing. Some sources on the internet say it's possible, some say impossible.
I have never seen nor heard of such a case. I've encouraged you not to worry- now I will do so again.
Sorry for all the questions. I grew up in the 90s and seemed like HIV has always been in the back of my head. They used to really scare us back then .
I think the hype from the 90's was a public service in terms of raising awareness but, at the same time, at this time we know much more. Please don't worry, particularly if you follow the steps I mentioned above EWH
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