tonsillar crypts

[TL]

i read a recent study, some of which i didn't understand, that found that damaged tonsils provide a route for HIV transmission.  i've had very big, often bleeding, tonsillar crypts since childhood.  I recently kissed someone who might have HIV (he was exposed to the virus after unprotected sex and is waiting for results).  if he had blood in his mouth, visible or otherwise, could my damaged tonsils increase my risk?  although i realize one cannot get HIV from kissing, this recent study has me concerned as i would describe my tonsils as very damaged.  something about how the virus attaches to damaged tonsils, i.e. tonsillar crypts, and can remain there long enough to cause infection.

[RapidRod]

At no time were you ever at risk. HIV is not transmitted via kissings.

[TL]

thank you for the response.  have you ever heard of this study regarding the tonsils?  regarding the study, would the virus be able to attach "better" in a study than in "a real life situation" because they apply the virus directly to the tonsils? 

[Andy Velez]

You are worrying needlessly. Kissing including deep kissing is absolutely not a risk for HIV transmission.No matter that you have a tonsil condition. Your saliva has over a dozen elements and proteins which very effectively prevent the transmission of viable HIV.

Your worrying is not based in HIV science but rather fears and what ifs.  You refer to a study without any specifics and mix that into IF the other person was bleeding and IF he is HIV+. If, if , if. If there was any veritas in your concern we would have learned about long before this and it would have become common knowledge in the HIV community.

[TL]

gotcha! thanks. 

i recognize that my concerns are based on what-ifs.  may i ask if i should be more concerned if in fact this person is positive and did have blood in his mouth?

[TL]

here in the study i read, just for reference.  i assume it's a reliable source.  thanks.
http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/171/2/571?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&titleabstract=hiv&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&fdate=//&resourcetype=HWCIT

[TL]

one more question.  would alcohol render my tonsils more susceptible to the virus?  i was drinking that night.

[RapidRod]

No and move on.

[Andy Velez]

Alcohol consumption would not make you more vulnerable in the scenario you have constructed. And the study to which you refer is far from conclusive. Your concern is unfounded and I don't see any basis for serious concern nor for testing.

[TL]

would you recommend a test if he is positive?  just want to be sure that i'm not affecting anyone else i may be intimate with.

[Ann]

TL,

No, you don't need testing over a kiss, not even if he's positive. Your tonsil situation may mean you should be careful about giving blowjobs, but kissing? Not a problem.  If your tonsils are so bad, why don't you just have them removed?

You can test if you like for peace of mind, but unless you've been engaging in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse you haven't told us about, then you can fully expect a negative result.

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER A KISS, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[TL]

okay thanks. one more and i'm DONE!  for future reference, if someone has blood in his mouth, would the fact that my tonsils are in bad condition be a cause for alarm?  should i EVER be concerned about kissing with my tonsil condition as far as HIV is concerned?

[Ann]

TL,

Unless you're in the habit of repeatedly punching people in the mouth before you kiss them, or unless you date vampires, there's never going to be enough blood present in someone's mouth to be of concern to you. I believe Andy already told you that not only is saliva not infectious, but it also contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that damage hiv and render it unable to infect.

You're worrying over nothing where hiv and kissing are concerned.

Ann

[TL]

thank you.  i'll keep that in mind as some vampires are kinda hot.    thank you for your patience.  i imagine the what-ifs get a little laborious.

[Andy Velez]

Yes, there are some very hot vampires around. But as long as whoever is the insertive partner is always wearing a condom, then you will be well protected as far as sexual transmission of HIV. It really is that simple, even in relation to vampires.