POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: notwell555 on August 27, 2007, 01:43:38 am
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I have had a couple of fingering (vaginal) experiences in the last while. I know that, despite what some other sites say, this activity is supposedly safe. I am trying to get my head around that. The symptom of concern is the extreme dry mouth that i got about two weeks ago. It wasn't until I started looking on the web that I realized that the "experts" say that oral manifestations are often the first (and only) symptoms of HIV and that salivary gland affect (dry mouth or "xerostomia) is common and can be a first sign. Cause of dry mouth all over the place states HIV as a cause. I noticed here it states in a few areas that dry mouth is not a sign of hiv. I could use some clarification.
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To add, it seems that these oral problems occur when CD4 counts are low and viral low is high which would make sense for primary infection. Is this logical? I am worried.
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Hi Notwell
Even though your intention are well meaning please read the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) regarding posting in these forums..please leave it to the experts to answer any queries posted here...thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any questions please start a thread of your own, that way you don't get lost in someone else thread, also you will recieve the answers to your questions a lot quicker.
Lanie..it's time you started listening to the experts here..you had no risk, let this go and move on.
Jan
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I have had a couple of fingering (vaginal) experiences in the last while. I know that, despite what some other sites say, this activity is supposedly safe. In my case I fingered until she reached orgasm (she "squirted when she climaxed). She then performed oral sex on me and masturbated me to orgasm. She may have manipulated me with the same hand she touched herself with. The symptom of concern is the extreme dry mouth that i got about two weeks ago. It wasn't until I started looking on the web that I realized that the "experts" say that oral manifestations are often the first (and only) symptoms of HIV and that salivary gland affect (dry mouth or "xerostomia) is common and can be a first sign. Cause of dry mouth all over the place states HIV as a cause. I noticed here it states in a few areas that dry mouth is not a sign of hiv. The dry mouth is so bad it wakes me about every 90 minutes.
it seems that these oral problems occur when CD4 counts are low and viral low is high which would make sense for primary infection. Is this logical? Is the exposure questionable? I am worried.
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Sorry all, I started a new thread.
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not,
I've split your posts out from the thread where you originally posted. Please post all your additional thoughts or questions in this thread and this thread only. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.
If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.
Please also read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
You will never hear anyone on THIS website say that any symptoms equals hiv. Symptoms, or even the lack of symptoms, mean absolutely nothing when it comes to hiv. The ONLY way to reliably know your hiv status is through testing, for the appropriate reasons at the appropriate time.
Fingering is NOT a risk for hiv infection. Not one person has EVER been infected in this way and you won't be the first.
Ann
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what about her touching me after possibly getting vaginal fluids on her hand?
And besides the fingering issue, on an independent note, what info do you have on oral manifestations.
Thanks.
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Not,
We do NOT discuss symptoms on this website, because they are meaningless when it comes to hiv. You can ask all the questions about symptoms you like, but you won't get your answers here. You need to talk to your doctor and/or dentist about your oral concerns.
What you are describing falls under the heading of mutual masturbation. Mutual masturbation is NOT a risk for hiv infection.
Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.
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 with 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 the specific incident you bring to us, 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
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Well, the dry mouth continues pretty much all the time and the doctor has by suggested hiv as the cause but needing to wait to get tested. The process of elimination and "probability" lapparently ead her to suggest hiv, but I have to wait to be tested to cover any possible encounters (latest one described above). I am absolutely sure that my only risks involve vaginal fingering and receiving oral sex on three occasions in the past as I thought those activities were safe. I know I have had no unprotected intercourse. But the doc says the possibility exists. I seem to be in a symptom vs. chance of exposure situation. The more this symptom continues, the less I like my chances. This is occupying my mind all the time. I do appreciate the encouragement from those on this site but the longer this continues, the more I worry and the more I think that maybe infected vaginal fluid can somehow get through small abrasions or knicks on the hand.
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not,
If your doctor thinks fingering or blowjobs are risks for hiv, then maybe she need to go back to school. She might also think you're not being honest and therefore erring on the side of caution.
Are you aware that having a dry mouth can happen when you're anxious? Go see your dentist about it. I've been positive for ten years and the only time my mouth gets dry is when I smoke a certain herb or breath through my mouth.
You didn't have a risk in what you bring to us. Keep using those condoms and you'll avoid hiv infection.
If it takes getting tested and seeing your negative result with your own eyes, then go for it. Just don't let the negative result surprise you.
Ann
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Thanks, Ann. The problem I have is that I try to be rational...look at the science. I never knew anything about dry mouth being a signal of hiv until I had the dry mouth and went looking on the web. Then you are right I did get anxious...but the dry mouth was there before. It seems the science says this dry mouth thing can be a signal early in hiv infection and the science suggests that fingering (and i assume getting a handjob from someone with infected vaginal fluid on their hand) can be a route of transmission. Statistics and probabilities suggest that it may be difficult but possible. The science says my symptoms are indicative. I guess that's why you see so may view points and debate about this. I keep trying to go back to my last negative test and there are no instances of unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Yet my rational side fears the worst. Maybe I should just stop the research. But then I do want to know what is causing this awful symptom. What a conundrum.
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If you have a concern the right thing to do is see a doctor instead of playing on the internet. I'm sorry but you have not found any information about fingering causing HIV on the internet.
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Since you have all the answers from "the science," why bother coming here?
Because all you're going to hear is what you've been told before. Nothing you have reported in sexual activity has put you at risk for HIV.
You can test until your mouth feels like the sands of the Sahara desert and you're still going to test negative. Dry mouth is absolutely not an HIV specific occurence. In fact it often happens during tension for instance.
You're suffering from bad science and bad medical advice. Get yourself a new doctor and discuss your symptoms. This is not an HIV situation and that's about all we can tell you.
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Still a horrible dry mouth and still worried but heading to new doctor next week. I appreciate the bluntness of the remarks. i wish sites like The Body and CDC would be as direct instead of beating around the bush and saying these things are "possible".
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Not,
Whilst you may appreciate the bluntness of our replies you should know that this forum is not a crutch for people like you and you won't be allowed to use it as such.
This is not an HIV situation. Move on.
MtD
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An update...but first let me say that I do not use this as a crutch. In fact, I am getting increasinly worried that maybe fingering and/or receiving oral sex maybe are ways to get infected and iot may be underreported...
My symptoms are worsening with dry mouth, eyes and mouth sores. I do have a new doctor and did basic blood work last week with results this week. The list of possibilities is not huge but we'll see. I am still very worried. I'm sure we'll get to other tests but hiv no good until oct 9.
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Not,
Repeatedly we've told you that this is not an HIV situation but you refuse to listen.
Repeatedly we've told you that symptoms mean nothing in relation to diagnosing HIV but you just ignore us.
Repeatedly we've warned you that you will not be allowed to use this forum as a crutch to support your neuroses but you continue to flaunt those warnings.
Enough is enough. I'm reporting this thread to the Moderators for review.
MtD
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In fact, I am getting increasinly worried that maybe fingering and/or receiving oral sex maybe are ways to get infected and iot may be underreported...
Not,
The serodiscordant studies blow your theory out of the water. The ONLY people who became infected in those studies where those who neglected to use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse every single time they had intercourse with their positive partners.
If there were other viable transmission routes, these studies would have highlighted them. In the couples who used condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, but no barrier for oral activities or for fingering, not one of the negative partners became infected with hiv. Not one.
You did NOT have a risk.
You WILL be given a time out if you do not begin grasp this fact. This is your very LAST warning. No kidding.
Ann
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Its now a few months and my dry mouth worsens. I am continuing to get seeen by docs but the fact is, the choices seem to be getting limited with HIV still being one. I come here again, because yesterday I saw that mothers that had been prechewing food for babies (the mothers had mouth sores) have been transmitting hiv to babies through the blood in this chewed food they give their babies.
That seems to indicate that a cut on the hand or elsewhere could transmit the virus more readily that once thought and my fears are up again today.
It seems to really indicate that transmission is possible much easier tahn i thought and maybe saliva does not block it too well.
The dry mouth is really my only sysmptom but it is vey frustrating and now worrisome as well.
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not,
Are you a tiny baby with an underdeveloped immune system? If you are, does your mother know what you've been doing and what sort of internet websites you visit?
You didn't have a risk. If you cannot bring yourself to believe what you've been told, go test and collect your negative result.
You will NOT be permitted to continue posting about this no-risk incident. I won't warn you again.
Ann
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No matter how insistent you are about it, a dry mouth is not an HIV specific symptom.
Just because your doctor(s) haven't come up with an adequate explanation doesn't by default make this an HIV situation.
Among other things stress can cause dry mouth. Along with any explorations you may continue medically I suggest you see a counselor or other similar professional to discuss the emotional aspects of this situation.
You've gotten several thorough and accurate responses here which are grounded in HIV science. We've done what we can do for you here.