POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: iBlue on January 10, 2012, 08:33:01 am
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I recently gave oral to a guy without knowing I had a couple of small mouth ulcers near the groove inside my bottom lip. He came on my tongue as he was pulling out my mouth and I quickly spat it out and rinsed my mouth out with water. I washed the area with soap too.
The ulcers weren't bleeding (to my knowledge), but were slightly sore and had been caused by sharp food over the Christmas period.
Am I at risk of any BBV, specifically HIV? Do I need to enquire about PEP?
Thanks in advance.
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Blue, your saliva contains over a dozen elements and proteins which very effectively prevent the transmission of viable HIV. You are worrying needlessly. There is no need for testing and certainly not for PEP.
Sexually only unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse are confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV. Use condoms for those activities every time and you will be well protected.
Other STDs are much easier to acquire than HIV, so we advise that anyone who is sexually active ought to at least annually have a full STD panel done.
There's no need for HIV testing this time.
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I appreciate that. Thanks for your input. I have been taught to worry about these things though. Even if the cum made contact with the ulcer and it's crust or my tongue rubbed against it, I have nothing to worry about?
Thanks for your help and advice. Should I be worried about anything else following this individual, isolated incident (normally I have only 1 partner and we're both very careful)?
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HIV is a very fragile virus. It is not transmitted in the ways about which you are concerned. Let it go and get on with your life. Really.
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So you don't think there is any need for an HIV test or PEP?
EDIT: I appreciate your help and understand you receive lots of these requests for information, but it is so conflicting out there. I just don't want to dice with my life when I have 24 hours remaining to seek PEP if necessary.
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There is no need for PEP nor for an HIV test. You are worrying needlessly.
Do yourself a favor and stop surfing the net. All you will find there is more junk to feed your worst fears and all to no good purpose.
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Ok Andy, I will trust your judgement on this, and hopefully won't regret it!
For what it's worth, I'm not panicking as a result of surfing the net, as I know that there is so many unverified sources. I'm worried as a result of the knowledge I have been taught by health professionals, that not only claim there is a risk of HIV transmission via oral sex, but that it is increased and more likely if you have cuts, sore gums, etc... This conflicts with what I have read on here. Obviously, I am hoping that you guys have it correct.
Thanks again for your contribution.
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You are welcome.
We are careful about what we put out. But ultimately you have to decide what you are comfortable with. That includes in relation to your making decisions about protecting your health in terms of sexuality.
As far as we are concerned here sexual risk for HIV is about unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse.
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I could say you've put a little bit of doubt in my mind now with that last comment, but I'll refrain! :-\
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As far as we are concerned here sexual risk for HIV is about unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse.
I repeat the above. Those are the only CONFIRMED risks for the sexual transmission of HIV.
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I completely understand that. If it wasn't for the small ulcers I had, I would have no doubt. I guess part of me just thinks it is possible that if the person was infected and some cum happened to reach the ulcerated area, it could cause an infection.
Obviously I am concerned about my health and as I am 24 hours away from the end of the PEP window, I'm worried I could make the biggest mistake of my life by forgetting about this and not going for PEP.
Thanks for your patience (which is no doubt wearing thin).
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I don't see PEP as warranted in your situation.
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You don't see it as warranted or is it absolutely not necessary?
As I said, this is my life and I am terrified I've destroyed my future (having kids etc). Should I enquire about getting it? It is available free here.
Thank you for your time and patience.
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If I thought you had a real risk and PEP was warranted I would have said so.
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I appreciate that, but I'm terrified. Can't stop thinking about it. I feel sick and I'm making myself ill with worry.
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As Andy says, feelings are not facts. I would be suprised if any ER doctor would prescribe such expensive and potentially toxic medication over what is essentially a no risk situation.
Use a condom for penetrative anal and vaginal sex and you will avoid HIV. It really is that simple.
*modified for spelling
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That's potentially why I feel so terrified. I contacted the clinic and they have said I am at risk and should go in for PEP.
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Obviously it's your call.
I would not imagine suggesting PEP over he incident as you describe it.
Please be aware that this forum will not allow you to go on and on over a no risk situation, as yours most assuredly is.
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I realise it is my call, and that is why I am having the problem. I also realise you have certain rules in the forum, and I apologise.
I just don't know what to do. From the way yourself and Andy have phrased things, it hasn't left me feeling 100% confident that I am ok - which is partly why I am still here.
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I am sorry. There is not a 100% certainty that HIV will not mutate to an airborne virus and deccimate the human race. Science simply does not deal with absolutes.
We base this site IN science. The ONLY 100% certainty of protection from STDs is sex with your own hand, And even then, I can think offhand of several theoretical means by which an STD can be transmitted, in the extremely odd and right situations.
I will say this. Any site, or any person, professional or otherwise, who gives any event a 100% chance of happening/not happening, is dumbing down science and condescending to you.
I try not to do that.
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I'm really sorry, but that isn't helping. All I want to know is if I am at risk.
Does the fact that I have a non-bleeding ulcer inside my bottom lip put me at risk, based on the information I gave in my original post?
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Read the posting guidelines.
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Rod,
I am close to tears. This really isn't helping. I just want someone to tell me I will not get HIV from my experience above.
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You never had a risk, how many times to you have to be told?
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I am Greeseboga. I have posted my problem too.
I am not sure if I'm permitted to give my view, but I will anyway.
Why dont you do as your heart says (get PEP). After all, the side effects will only lasts until the course is over (28 days, I think). Nothing to loose. At least you will get peace of mind and the body will start to clear the toxins once the 28 days passes (I think).
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You never had a risk, how many times to you have to be told?
Quite a few times to be honest. It is a completely serious matter. In any case, the clinic have told me there is very low risk and I wouldn't be a candidate for PEP.
I hope that very low risk = no risk!
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Greese, it is a rule of the site that members in this Forum can write only in their own threads and not comment in the threads of other members. If you had read the opening thread at the top of the Forum you would have known that.
However well intentioned, please don't do it again or you will find yourself getting banned.
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Okay ... sorry ....... I was not aware of this.
Sorry once again!
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OK. Onward...