[Question #14058] Hiv risk in this scenario

1 months ago

I have active genital HSV and HPV. A woman with a high-risk sexual history performed oral sex on me for about 30 seconds. Her tongue made direct contact with my urethral opening.If there was blood in her mouth, what would be the risk of HIV transmission from this exposure?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

1 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. thanks for your continuing confidence in our service. I'll be glad to comment. Even with a high risk history, there is little chance (less than 1%) that your partner had untreated HIV. Even if she did, there are no proven cases of HIV which have been proven to have been acquired from receipt of oral sex . That you have genital herpes and HPV does not change that fact. I see no medical reason for concern or for testing. Please don't worry. EWH---

1 months ago

Thank you for your response, Doctor.Even assuming there may have been blood or sores in her mouth, and considering that I have active herpes lesions and HPV on my penis, with her tongue making direct contact with the mucosal lining inside theurethral opening for about 30 seconds, would you still consider this exposure to be of no concern?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

1 months ago

Correct. Even with blood or sores in her mouth, still no risk. No need to test.

One follow up remaining. EWH

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1 months ago

One final question, Doctor.

What is the difference between this situation and vaginal intercourse in terms of HIV risk? In both situations, blood may potentially be present, and studies have shown that conditions such as herpes (HSV) and HPV can increase susceptibility to HIV infection.Given that, why is the risk considered negligible in my situation but significantly higher with vaginal sex?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

1 months ago

Exposures at different body sites have different risks for HIV acquistion. This is because of differences in the anatomy and mechanics of the sex acts. There is a well described risk for acquistion of HIV when penile-vaginal sex occurs between an HIV infected woman and a male penis- based on extensive, carefully conducted research, that risk is estimated to be about 1 infection for every 2500 acts of intercourse. As Dr. Handsfield told you previously, the presence of STIs such as herpes and genital warts may double that risk- to about 1 infection per 1250 acts of intercourse. On the other hand, as I explained to you above, there are NO PROVEN cases of HIV acquired from receipt of oral sex, even when the person performing oral sex has sores or blood in their mouth- NONE!!!!

My assessment and advice is unchanged. This completes this thread which will now be closed. EWH

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