[Question #9976] Open mouth kissing - HIV risk?

27 months ago

I was on a first date last weekend and ended up 'making out' - open mouth, french kissing - with a girl for a few minutes. As it was a first date I didn't really know her well or her history.

I thought this was a no-risk activity in terms of HIV but I'm now confused and scared because several websites seem to say it's a remote risk. Is this true? Do I need to get a test? I try to be really careful not to expose myself to danger but now I feel I've done something I shouldn't have. Can you provide some input for me here? Thanks in advance.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

27 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. I'll start this reply by urging you to stay off the internet when it comes to evaluating risks related to HIV and other STIs. The internet is unfiltered and much of what is there is overstated or just plain wrong sometimes because it is out of date information, sometimes because statements are taken out of context and sometimes because they are simply incorrect. In your last visit to the site, Dr. Handsfield stated "For the future, trust me on this: without unprotected sex with an infected partner (meaning your penis inside a partner's vagina or rectum), or direct injection of infected blood, you will never be at risk for HIV." That is still the case.

I suppose there is a theoretical risk that HIV could be transmitted through open mouth kissing but this is theoretical in the same sense that, theoretically jou could be struck by a meteorite falling from space while reading this reply. It is simply not something to worry about.

There is no need for concern and no need for testing related to the encounter with open mouth kissing that you describe. Please don't worry. EWH

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27 months ago

Thanks very much doctor.