I have returned. Again I wished this was a more pleasant circumstance. So This week I met someone at an event held by my Uni. The music was loud so I didn’t catch his name. When I leaned in, a speck of his saliva got into my lips and possibly my mouth. I sipped beer afterwards and went to the restroom to wash it off with water. My concern is, if his saliva is mixed with blood (he was not visibly bleeding) from a wound or something inside his mouth invisible from me, would this constitute an HIV risk? I had an 5 day old wound on my bottom lips because I bit it (no longer painful, a hole-like thing in the center but white) and a very slightly painful when licked part of my upper lips with no visible wound but red veins when viewed closer with a flashlight and a bit watery (blood?). Is this enough to provide access for HIV?

Welcome back to the Forum.  I note that it has been over a year since you were last on our Forum, as well as that you continue to worry about HIV risks associated with casual contact.  The interaction you describe was a no risk event.  You do not know that the person whose spit you encountered had HIV (and it is statistically unlikely that he did)  or any other infection and, even if he did, there is no risk for HIV, hepatitis or other infection.  HIV and other STIs are not transmitted in spit or through inadvertent ingestion of contaminated material. This is true even if there was blood in his saliva and true irrespective of the presence of a lesion or healing sore on your lip.  There is no need for concern and no medical need for testing related to the events that you have described. 

I hope this information is helpful to you and that it will allow you to move forward without concern.  EWH

I hope you are well. I have been seeking help for my HIV phobia and it works well but this one is particularly concerning to me. What sparked my concern was the CDC stating that ‘blood-contaminated’ fluids can transmit HIV. I felt his saliva on my lips and the speck is quite large probably a drop or two, so thats why I thought I should ask you. Does this change your assessment?  Should I take PEP or take a test? Is it true that to be susceptible to HIV, the wound must be deep such as surgery wounds or a knife cut and not superficial?

As you know, our forum guidelines call for this thread to be closed in a few hours.  Take care.   EWH