Oral Question

[Dannis10463]

Hi,

On 11/2 I performed unprotected oral sex on another man and I ended up swallowing his semen. I feel horribly stupid about this because this something I never do unless I know the guy very well. To add to it, the oral sex was very vigorous and forceful.

I know that the chances of getting infected from unprotected oral with a known HIV+ man are about 1 in 10,000 -- but then I've had some scary symptoms since that time that I would appreciate some advice about.

Day 1 after this encounter, I came down with a sore throat. This was probably strep or something. I saw a doctor on Day 6 and she prescribed antibiotics that cleaned it up. I finished the antibiotics on Day 10.

Beginning Day 11 and continuing to today, my bowel movements have been loose and runny. My diet has not changed and Immodium AD did not help. I am seeing a doctor on Thursday, but I'm scared because I understand diarrhea can be a symptom of ARS.

Over past three weeks I've had strange feelings of mild pressure in my groin and under my arms -- but then when I feel around to try to find a lump, I can't detect anything. My fear is that these are swollen lymph nodes - but if lymph nodes were causing pressure and discomfort shouldn't I be able to find them? I'm not overweight.

I still have a few days before I see my doctor and a long ways to go before I can get an accurate test and I'm scared. I would just like to know if this sounds like ARS to your expert opinions. I haven't had a fever and I can't find any swollen nodes in my neck, either.

Thank you for your help,

Dennis

[Ann]

Dannis,

Symptoms or the even lack of symptoms mean nothing when it comes to hiv infection. The ONLY way to know your status is through testing. However, none of you symptoms sound even remotely connected to hiv.

It would be extremely unusual for you to have been infected through oral sex. There have been long-term studies of couples where one is positive and one is negative. In the couples who used condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, but no barrier for oral activities, not one of the negative partners became infected with hiv. Not one. This shows us two things. One, condoms are very effective for the prevention of hiv transmission. Two, oral sex is much lower risk than previously believed. We now have the evidence that oral sex is a very low risk activity where hiv transmission is concerned.

While you don't need to test over this specific incident, 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.

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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.

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

Ann

[Dannis10463]

Thanks for the information, Ann. That is very reassuring.

Intellectually, I know all this -- but sometimes its really hard to feel it emotionally. Especially when these unexplained sensations keep popping up in my groin and armpits.

Someone suggested that the loose bowels may be a result of the antibiotics. I wonder if these feelings in my groin might just be my mind playing tricks on me with worry -- these have happened before when I've been worried about HIV but I've consistently tested negative.

Anyway, I appreciate the help.

[Dannis10463]

Hi, I have one more question if you don't mind.

Is it possible to have ARS without a fever?

If the sensations that I'm feeling in my groin and armpits are not psychosomatic but actually my lymph nodes swelling, could it still be ARS even if I don't have a fever? My temperature is normal, and I confess I've been checking it compulsively every hour or so. I was concerned my thermometer was not accurate so I bought a new one. I get the same results, though: no fever.

I realize that my risk was extremely low, but I'm scared and its still a while before I can tested and get my results and I'm scared.

If I had ARS and my lymph nodes were swollen, would I also have a fever? Does the absense of a fever give me any definitive proof that I do not currently have ARS?

Thank you!

[Ann]

Dannis,

Neither the presence or absence of fever or any other symptom is indicative of hiv infection. Some people become so ill with ARS they end up being hospitalised, while others notice nothing at all. This is why symptoms or even the lack of symptoms are meaningless when it comes to primary hiv infection.

What is a better indication though is risk. You didn't really have one as it is rare to become infected through any type of oral sex. To be honest, most people who come here worry themselves sick and it has nothing to do with hiv whatsoever. Yes, you can indeed worry yourself sick. That's not a saying for nothing, you know.

While I wouldn't even bother testing over this, since you've decided to test you're just going to have to wait it out. Try to stay productively busy in the meantime and do yourself a favour - stay off hiv internet sites.

Ann

[Dannis10463]

Hi,

I want to thank Ann for her help the last time I wrote in. Her advice really helped calm my nerves and, of course, my test results were negative -- just like she said.

I want to make sure I stay that way, so I hope someone can help me with this question:

I recently had sex with a guy I met a club. We only did oral and mutual masturbation. The only issue was that he was producing a lot of pre-cum. If he were positive, would this be the same risk, less, or more than if he came in my mouth? I didn't have any cuts or sores in my mouth. I read somewhere that saliva contains a protein that inhibits HIV so each time I took his penis out of my mouth I sloshed some spit around my mouth and swallowed.

Was this OK? Do I have any reason to be worried?

Thanks!

[ACinKC]

No you dont.

[Dannis10463]

Thanks!

[Ann]

Dannis,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. 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 so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ann