Transmission Question

[phillyjosh1980]

Hi there,

Quick question...although I think I know the answer, I guess I just need some reassurance. Not too long ago I was away on vacation and met a guy my age (29) and we ended up fooling around a bit. No anal but a lot of unprotected oral (including precum) and a lot of rimming. I know this activity puts me at risk for STD's in general but can I assume there is no risk of me getting HIV specifically through such activity?

[Andy Velez]

Receiving oral is zero risk. About giving oral we occasionally hear of someone claiming to have been infected in that manner. But the claims never seem to hold up under careful scrutiny so it is regarded as a "theoretical risk." In the real world of HIV the only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unproteced anal and vaginal intercourse.

I don't see any cause for further concern on your part nor any need for testing.

Cheers.

[phillyjosh1980]

Thanks. I feel better after your answer.

[Andy Velez]

Good. Glad you found our exchange to be helpful.

[phillyjosh1980]

Hi, I've had a real risk and I know this site is not in the business of diagnosing HIV based on someone experiencing the varied symptoms of ARS, but I have a generic question.

Generally, what is the time-line, if one were to experience ARS symptoms, what would be the earliest they could 'come on?"

Unfortunately, I've had a very very brief unprotected incident with another guy of insertive anal sex. I didnt realize he wanted to go "all the way" until he just inserted me into him. I wised up after about 20 seconds and put a condom on and and used lubricant.

I will be tested at 13 weeks to be sure but its been one week now and I feel like my throat is swollen and was just wondering. I've heard that is usually too soon but was just wondering

Thanks

[Andy Velez]

What you are calling symptoms are in no way HIV specific. That's no surprise because the incident you are concerned about was very low level for risk.

HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It's significantly lower risk for the insertive partner than it is for the receptive one. And this was a single, brief possible exposure. Nevertheless low risk is not the same as no risk, so you do need to get tested for a conclusive result at 13 weeks past the incident in question.

Neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. Only an HIV test can give you that answer. Once someone is worried about HIV then it often happens that every thing that happens physically is misinterpreted as another ominous sign of HIV.

In your case the risk was low and I expect you to come out of this ok. Just be more careful in the future and make sure that whether you are giving or receiving, whoever is inserting is wearing a condom. No exceptions.

Cheers.

[phillyjosh1980]

Andy,

Once again, thank you for the quick response. I will get tested at 13 weeks to be sure, but in the meantime, you've put my mind and ease and I will be more proactive in making sure something like this does not occur again.

Take care,
Josh

[Andy Velez]

That's a good plan about taking real responsibility for protecting your health.

I only just noticed you'd had a previous thread. I've merged your threads here. Please follow our rule in the future and write only in this thread. Don't start anymore new ones.

Cheers.