POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: repeat_offender on December 15, 2007, 01:22:49 pm
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First off, wanted to say thanks as you all provide a tremendous service here. I've spent plenty of time reading up on the subject but because of the conflicting information on oral sex, there leaves a window open to what if scenarios. Couple this with the fact that the acts in question were with a high risk person (transsexual prostitute), and that ups the anxiety level up a notch.
The specific acts I am concerned with are receptive oral sex, usually with a condom, with licking of the testicles and shaft. On the occasions where a condom was not used, I did NOT come into contact with the head of the penis - there was only licking of the shaft and balls. My concerns are 1) that pre-cum may have dripped down the shaft without my noticing and 2) that there may have been some residual cum on the dick/balls from a previous client. I believe the time between the prior client and my contact would have been at least 30 minutes. Could fluids in a situation like this still be infectious? So would anyone consider this a testing situation or are these concerns unfounded? Thanks in advance.
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No reason to be concern.
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Rod is quite right Offender, you have no reason to be concerned about HIV infection. Receiving a blow job (protected or not) is not a risk for HIV infection.
You say you read the information on this site extensively. I'm pleased to hear that. You'll have read our Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) then, which contains links to our lessons on HIV testing and transmission.
One other thing. Just because your sex partner was a "transsexual prostitute" doesn't mean that he or she was a "high risk" person at all. HIV cares about what people do, not what they are.
MtD
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I'm just chiming in to agree with Matty & Rod that you weren't at risk in this incident you're concerned about.
With regard to giving oral, the cases of transmission attributed to that are highly questionable as to reliability. Whereas by contrast there is much more evidence that giving oral is not a risk as supported by longterm studies of sero-discordant couples. They had lots of protected intercourse and lots of unprotected mutual oral. Not one single sero-negative person has become infected.
Some think that if poor oral care is involved or ejaculation takes place orally it might be a greater risk. It's really strictly up to you to decide what level of risk you're comfortable with. In general we do advise anyone who's sexually active to have a full STD panel done regularly as some other STDs are easier to acquire than HIV. Getting tested at least annually is a good idea.
This time out I don't see cause for concern about HIV.
Cheers,
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Thanks guys. Appreciate the quick responses. It's just frustrating because I gather all of the information, decide what I am comfortable with (in this case no contact with the head of the penis - either by using condom or having contact only with the shaft and balls), then follow through with this plan and then STILL get anxious afterwards. Makes me think that staying home and masturbating may be my best option.
I am guessing based on the consistent and unanimous responses here that you have not seen a worried well convert from oral transmission.
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No, because it isn't a risk.
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Not infrequently anxiety about HIV is related to some feelings about sexual situations in general. You can certainly choose masturbation as an alternative to the reactions you've been having after oral sex. You might also find it worthwhile to see a therapist and talk about your feelings around the whole subject for further support.