[Question #5413] Dr. Handsfield, a question related to your HIV opinion (Then vs. Now)
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74 months ago
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Greetings! My question is in regards to HIV transmission and kissing. I had an episode with a CSW, whom I know personally, who has told me she tested HIV negative three months ago, and “always tests negative, fortunately.” She’s told me she insists on condom use during sex and oral sex, unless she’s dating someone. Obviously, my OCD doesn’t believe any of it and I read one of your responses to a question in 2012 about how you would personally avoiding kissing someone with a high viral load. My relations are as follows: I kissed her on the lips multiple times, this was not deep kissing but maybe saliva from her lips got onto mine or slightly into my mouth somehow. Our tongues did not enter each other’s mouthes whatsoever. I do have mild gingivitis but only bleed when brushing hard. I also masturbated myself using a hand that may have come into contact with her vaginal fluid. What would be your risk assessment? Assuming her viral load were sky high? (I know you will say this is not a valid assumption but..) I have 6 weeks until I can conclusively test and rule this out (I hope). I know the Duo at 6-8 weeks is conclusive but I know my brain will only accept 3 months. I hate myself for this. I just ruled out getting HIV/STD’s from my girlfriend (who cheated) after 3 months of continuous DUO and AB testing and thought I could be as safe as possible going forward but, I’m horrified that I’ve totally screwed my life up with
this decision. I’m also scared to test again because I recently received my HEP B and TDAP boosters, which could interfere with the rapid finger prick DUO and cause a false positive..I think? Thank you Doctor, I probably shouldn’t even be seeking reassurance but, today has been rough. I want to find someone new but now I feel like I’m infectious to everyone.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
74 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. On this occasion I will be answering your question. FYI, Dr. Handsfield and I have worked together and while our verbal styles differ a bit, we have never disagreed on the facts of our advice.
Related to your question, my sense is that you are aware that your concerns are more a reflection of your OCD than any true risk for HIV. Let's get the facts out first. As of today, there has NEVER been a case of HIV proven to have been transmitted by kissing of any sort. There are many scientific reasons for this including that the amount of HIV present in saliva is relatively low compared to the concentrations found in other parts of the body and that saliva has many substances which inhibit viruses and bacteria. I am confident that while 7 years ago Dr. Handsfield indicated that some day, somewhere someone will acquire HIV through kissing, the fact is that hundreds of millions of persons have engaged in kissing, including deep kissing without acquiring HIV makes the likelihood of you having acquired HIV through the kissing you describe lower than your chances of being struck by a meteorite falling from the sky today. Your kissing and that you may have transferred vaginal fluid to your mouth are no risk events. There is no scientific reason for concern. Had you asked, I would have told you that there is no need for testing of any sort.
In answer to your other questions, your recent TDAP and hepatitis vaccine boosters will in no way increase your risk for a falsely positive test.
Thus-
My Assessment. There is no risk whatsoever from the activities you describe and any testing you do is being done only for your piece of mind, not for any proven medical or scientific reason.
My Advice. If you are not already doing it, I urge you to seek professional help for your OCD. Clearly it is impacting you and your life.
EWH
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74 months ago
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My apologies to add on: but for clarification, have there still been no reported or confirmed cases of HIV transmitted via kissing? If such a case were to exist, how would you become aware of it?
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74 months ago
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Thank you Doctor Hook, I really appreciate your thorough and timely response. Happy I could contribute and support.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
74 months ago
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Please see my comment above. Had such a case been described, it would have been described in a scientific report and would have been present in one of the many medical journals and news services that I receive. EWH---
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74 months ago
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Thank you so much for this information, I have always been curious. We can close this thread. Thank you again and I know testing again will most likely strengthen my OCD (I tested 11 times for one encounter months again) but if I do, wish me luck! Have a great day.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
74 months ago
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Thanks for your thanks. I note that you did not say that you had sought treatment for your OCD. Please do seek help, this is the pathway to helping yourself for the long term.
As you have noted, this thread will now be closed. I wish you the best. EWH
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