I have browsed the HealthTap page and see that Dr Handsfield advises there will never be a risk of HIV until one has (1) unprotected intercourse; or (2) injects HIV-blood into tissue with needles (drugs).

I note that this position is also shared on this forum, including by Dr Handsfield again and Dr Hook. I have limited my browsing to medically moderated sites (but wish to stop altogether after today).

I had a date on Sunday with a girl from Hinge. I do not know her HIV status or her sexual practices.

We ended up DEEP FRENCH KISSING a couple of times. This was all that happened intimacy wise. 

I thought nothing of these events, however, a post appeared on my Facebook regarding STD testing and it cited DEEP FRENCH KISSING as a reason to test for HIV. Naturally, this has spooked me and is why I am here.

1. As Doctors in the STI field, am I clear of HIV?

2. Do I need HIV testing from a medical pov?

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your expertise is greatly appreciated.

I should have added that this Facebook post was not uploaded by a Doctor or STI specialist - it was a general advert (I can’t remember who created it now).

I also called my local surgery after seeing the advert and spoke to a nurse. She shared the same views as yourselves - i.e no risk of HIV until there is actual penetrative sex.

My slight correction to your opening statement is that the main HIV transmission risks aren't merely my and Dr. Hook's "positions". They are universally understood scientific facts -- as understood by your nurse. Of course "only" is relative -- with HealthTap's character limit, there isn't space to mention the other far less common transmission routes, like giant blood exposures (like caring for an auto accident victim), mother to infant transmission, babies being nursed by infected moms, and extremely rare exposure of health care personnel by injury with contaminated sharps.

As for your event and kissing, all oral exposures to the virus are very low risk and there are few if any known cases of HIV infection acquired by kissing. It might occur on very rare occasions, but in general I would consider it a zero risk exposure.

I'm unfamiliar with the dating app Hinge but I see no reason to suppose most users are at especially high risk of HIV, and HIV remains rare among women in the US and other industrialized countries. In the future, I would strongly urge you to discuss HIV/STI status with such partner before having sex (even entirely protected or safe sex):  condoms fail, and intentions to remain safe (like oral sex only) often go by the wayside in the heat of the moment. Still, it remains unlikely your partner had HIV; and if she did, kissing wasn't risky.

Those comments basically answer your two questions, but to assure no misunderstanding:  1) Yes you are in the clear with respect to HIV (and other STIs as well). 2) From a medical/risk standpoint, you definitely do not need HIV testing. Testing is a personal choice, and reassurance alone s a valid reason for HIV testing even if the risk is nil. I certainly wouldn't do it if somehow I were in your shoes, but it's still a choice you could make if a negative test result would help you avoid worry.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

If you think there is no HIV risk as an expert in this field, that is good enough for me and music to my ears!

I appreciate that this is my last post before the thread is closed. Thank you for setting up this forum and for your reassurance.

Personally, I think it is overkill to ask to see STI [test] results before sex. Your partners' word should be sufficient.