[Question #2907] Kiss with herpes blister

93 months ago

I kissed a girl on her lips. later on I realized i might have a herpes blister on the bottom of my lips (at least I think I have i made an appointment with my Dr. to find out whether it's herpes or not)

I was reading that having a herpes blister can make HIV virus more easy to enter the body.

Would it be a risk for hiv or some other std ?

Do I need to be tested?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

93 months ago

First, it is exceedingly unlikely your partner had HIV. Second, HIV is not transmitted by kissing. Third, it is HSV2, the usual cause of genital herpes, that increases the risk of HIV if sexually exposed; HSV1, the cause of oral herpes does not. There also is no risk of any other STD from kissing. You do not need testing for HIV or anything else.

The main disease risk here is for your kissing partner; if she doesn't already have oral herpes, you could have infected her (if your sore is herpes). You need to contact her and warn her about it.

You have previously been warned about excessive anxiety driven questions about HIV risk. Your fears are way beyond normal and rational. This truly will be your last such question: as you were previously advised, any future ones will be deleted without reply and without refund of the testing fee.

HHH, MD

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