I am based in the ME. Last month I visited an Arabian cigar lounge and once my friends had left, I got talking with a lady who was on the next table.

I do not know her HIV status or sexual partner history. Please note that we did not have any kind of oral sex or penetrative sex.

The events were:

1. In the cigar lounge she was smoking shisha/hookah. She offered me the hookah to smoke and I now remember that there was a red blotch or two on it. I did not clean it before taking a few inhales of shisha.

I think this was her lipstick, however I do not know if it was blood.

2. I drove the lady home and we open-mouth French kissed for a couple of minutes in the car.

Again, I do not recall seeing any blood in her mouth, but it was dark.

HIV is my main concern as I have a GF at home. I want to put this mistake behind me.

I have discreetly consulted an online Doctor who has told me that until there is penetrative sex with penis, there is no risk for HIV and no need for any worries; and no need to test for any STI.

As experts in this area, can I forget about HIV and move on? 

Thank you

Brad

I'm happy to agree with the other online source you found. There has never been a scientifically documented case of HIV acquired by kissing. That doesn't mean the risk is zero -- if someone has had a sexual episode that included both vaginal sex and kissing, how can you know which was the source of infection? On the other hand, with zero cases among people whose ONLY exposure was kissing, obviously the risk is exceedingly low. In addition, the chance any particular sexually active female has HIV in the Middle East is very low, including sex workers.

You really shouldn't worry at all about this event and do not need testing. Your own statement is exactly right:  "forget about HIV and move on."

I hope these comments are helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

HHH, MD

1. Do you also agree that there was no risk for HIV from sharing the hookah, even if the red blotches happened to be her blood?

2. So because my only intimate contact was open-mouth kissing (and zero penetration or oral sex took place), this did not put me at risk for HIV?

3. Can I resume unprotected sex with my GF?

4. I note that yourself and Dr Hook have advised other users on the forum that they will never be at risk of HIV until, with an unknown partner, they: (1) insert their penis (unprotected) into that person’s vagina, rectum or mouth; or (2) share drug injection needles. 

Is this still your medical stance today?

Thank you

Brad