[Question #8926] Kissing french kissing hiv risk

38 months ago

Hi Doctor,

I have a few questions about an hiv concern. I am from Australia and I met a guy all i did was kissing on a few occassions. Met him a few times until I started reading the internet and was confused about the risk. i asked the question on poz and medhlep and both said was no risk. Then i read a few posts of yours to see and found conflicting advise. Can you please eleborate what i should do.

I took TWO hiv combo test different labs(not rapid test- proper test where it goes to lab and test) two times which i believe to be taken between 4 and 6 weeks after those kissing events.. It might be six weeks but my brain is telling me its 4-5. They were all negative

At same time, i got that person to test for hiv as well. He is on prep and was negative too. Now my questions:-

Should i move on without concern?

Should i test furthermore?

Have you change the stance on kissing, french kissing if its a risk and have you seen any literature where this was proved to be transmitted by kissing?

I know this might be irrelevant, but whats the window period in USA? I know UK is 45 days.

Can i move on without a worry?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

38 months ago

Welcome to our forum and thanks for your question. Thanks as well for your confidence in our service. I’ll be glad to comment. You can move on without concern. Below I will mention the many reasons why this is the case.

1. We have not changed our stance on the no risk nature of kissing with respect to acquisition of HIV. I am unaware of any proven cases of HIV that have been acquired as the result of kissing. When I say kissing, this includes deep, French kissing, and is not changed with the presence of gum disease, dental cavities, or mouth sores. All of these are no risk event‘s.

2. Second, your partner tested negative for HIV after your kissing encounter. If his test was negative anytime more than a few days after your encounter, and your risk for acquisition HIV through any kind of exposure to him is virtually zero.

3. Third, your own tests, at least four weeks after the encounter, are negative. At four weeks 98 to 99% of persons who have acquired HIV will have positive tests. For the test to be entirely conclusive, including the final 1 to 2% of newly positive tests, takes six weeks but your negative tests are particularly when considered with the factors already listed, very, very strong evidence that you were not infected. Personally, I have never seen an individual who had a negative test at 4 weeks following an exposure become positive. It’s probably happens but it is very, very rare.

When considering these three strong reasons why you can be confident that you were not infected, I urge you to move forward. I see no reason for continuing concert and no scientific reason for additional testing related to the encounter you described.

I hope this information is helpful to you. EWH

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38 months ago

I am a bit worried if that 2% is a risk.. I believe i tested after six weeks but i am not sure.. I believe 5-6 but two tests from different labs both combo test..

The guy also tested negative was after 4 weeks .

Nevertheless i find it confusing on whether kissing is a risk or no?

if no then tests shouldnt even matter.. Please let me know your thought?

Have Cdc proved the the case in 1997 that it was from deep kissing or its not proven?

Should i move on or do one more test?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

38 months ago

I’m sorry if you found my answer unclear. As I have already told you, there are NO proven cases, anywhere anytime in which a person has acquired HIV from kissing. I’m not sure what is unclear about that statement.

After I provided that information to you I gave you two other reasons for you to be confident. The fact that an occasional case of HIV may not yield a positive test four weeks after an exposure has little to do with the fact that your encounter was no risk. Based on his negative test after your encounter your partner was not Infectious,

the event you described does not transmit HIV. EWH

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38 months ago

Thanks doctor.. Does this mean i can move on without any further test?

Also, if i kiss in future i dont need to worry about any hiv? as it is no risk situation according to you?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

38 months ago

Correct. You can move on without any concerns whatsoever. Further, there is no reason whatsoever to worry about acquiring HIV from kissing another person. No concern at all! Kissing is a no risk event in terms of HIV risk - I cannot say it any more clearly.

This will complete this thread. Please don’t worry. EWH

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