A few quick questions

[prman1]

I recently read a study online that anal fluids have a very high level of HIV.  I was wondering, wound't that significantly increase the risk of rimming?  I know that rimming is extremely low risk, but reading this study kind of freaked me out.  I was in a LTR for about year, actually on and off for a year.  While we NEVER had unprotected anal, I always wore a condom and thanks to Ann's llink - I always put in on right - with tons of lube - never a break, slip or tear.  But I did rim him a lot..so reading that study (Dr. K on San Fran City site also cites the study) it has me a bit freaked.   To that end, I also sucked him a lot - but never had ejaculation in my mouth - actually, have never had anyone ejaculate in my mouth - just precum.

Just thought I would ask since the experts on here are so up to date on the studies and was wondering if I should indeed be concerned with this sexual act.

Thanks everyone - best.

[Matty the Damned]

Brother,

Is this your first and only thread in Am I Infected? Coz if it's not you should confine yourself to your original thread. It's all explained in the Welcome Thread.

MtD
(Who would search but is way too lazy)

[prman1]

Sorry, I did.  But I didn't know since it was a different topic based on a study if I should have placed in my previous post.  Sorry, I will repost in the original topic.

[Ann]

pr,

Actually, your previous posts were in someone else's thread, so starting your own thread for your own topic was perfectly acceptable. Please keep your own questions in this thread. Thanks.

(Matty, you can click on someone's user name and then click on the "show posts" link to find out what the score is. That's what I do... )

Now for your question. Rimming is not a risk for hiv infection due to the antiviral properties of saliva.

The presence of hiv in anal fluids is a concern, but only for the unprotected (penile) insertive partner. In other words, this is how a top would get infected when not using condoms.

Just keep using those condoms and you'll be fine.

Ann

[prman1]

Thanks, Ann.  I guess when I saw that study that good old anxiety starting coming back.   As mentioned - I like to rim, and perform oral on my male partners (never to completion) and ALWAYS have protected anal. Have a serodiscordant relationship, too.  Which I did those acts.   I always to try to remember your tagline saying about using condoms for anal and vaginal sex and you're fine - its that simple.   Damn, those words I say to myself so often and they try and help me through times when I think..hmm...was that risky?

[Andy Velez]

The risks related to rimming are not connected to HIV. Your saliva would act as an inhibitory element on HIV.

However, the anus is the germiest orifice in the body so you do need to be aware that rimming does potentially expose you to other STDs. You should get tested regularly if this is a part of your sexual activities, say every six months and more frequently if you develop any problematic symptoms.

But as far as HIV is concerned it is not an issue.

Cheers,

[Matty the Damned]

Prman,

Sorry about that babe. I should have used the last posts facility before accusing you of the heinous crime of multiple threading in Am I Infected. In the old forums one had to undertake a search of the records to bring up peoples previous posts and it was a pain in the arse. Here, as Ann has revealed, it's much easier.

As you were!

MtD
(Who loves being able to blame just about anything on the Old Forums)

[prman1]

Thanks Ann and Andy.   I appreciate your time and advice.   I think I am going to change my sexual safety to include dental dams for rimming and condoms for oral.  As mentioned, I have always used condoms for anal and never had a slip or break.   I have been lately "freaking" out the possibility of precum and then read about the anal fluids and it got my mind going.   So out come the condoms and dental dams for oral and rimming.   I like sex without worry.

Thanks.

[Ann]

pr,

If you feel dental dams are the way to go, you should know that they can be a bit difficult to get ahold of - so here's two tips. One, use saran/plastic food wrap/cling film. Two, cut a condom in half length-wise and open out.

Ann