Performing Oral Sex on a Woman Who Has Her Period

[enterprise11]

Hello,

Yesterday I had sexual contact with a sex worker.  We engaged in french kissing, fondling, and she gave me oral sex with a condom.  I understand that those are all safer sex activities, but there were several factors that made me question whether to pursue testing.

1. I'm getting over a recent cold and still have a lingering sore throat with some blood tinged sputum.  She told me after we french kissed that she had just brushed her teeth prior to our meeting.  If she had traces of blood in her mouth, would this serve as a possible route of transmission (blood from her mouth to my sore/raw throat).

2. She admitted that she does perform unprotected oral sex on clients (I chose to go with a condom to be safe).

3.  She had track marks on her hands and arms that indicate that she is an IV drug user.

Given these factors, should I pursue testing at 6 weeks, or was this a non-event in terms of exposure.

Thanks!

[RapidRod]

Hello,

Yesterday I had sexual contact with a sex worker.  We engaged in french kissing, fondling, and she gave me oral sex with a condom.  I understand that those are all safer sex activities, but there were several factors that made me question whether to pursue testing.

1. I'm getting over a recent cold and still have a lingering sore throat with some blood tinged sputum.  She told me after we french kissed that she had just brushed her teeth prior to our meeting.  If she had traces of blood in her mouth, would this serve as a possible route of transmission (blood from her mouth to my sore/raw throat).

2. She admitted that she does perform unprotected oral sex on clients (I chose to go with a condom to be safe).

3.  She had track marks on her hands and arms that indicate that she is an IV drug user.

Given these factors, should I pursue testing at 6 weeks, or was this a non-event in terms of exposure.

Thanks!

You never had an exposure in any of the situations you've provided.

[Ann]

enterprise,

Sexually speaking, the ONLY confirmed risks for hiv infection are unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. You didn't do either.

1. Kissing is NOT a risk for hiv infection, no matter what sort of spin you put on it. 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.

Forget about blood in the mouth. Unless you're in the habit of repeatedly punching a person in the mouth before you kiss them or before they blow you, there could not possibly be enough blood present to cause concern.

2. Getting a blowjob, with or without a condom, is not a risk for hiv infection. There have been three 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.

3. So what? It doesn't matter WHO you do (sex worker, drug user etc), it matters HOW you do it. You need to assume ANYONE you have anal or vaginal intercourse with is hiv positive and protect yourself accordingly by using condoms for intercourse.


Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

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

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST SPECIFICALLY OVER KISSING OR GETTING BLOWN, 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

[enterprise11]

Rapidrod and Ann,

Thanks for your replies and advice!

[Ann]

Enterprise,

You're welcome.

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

Ann

[enterprise11]

I recently had sex with a friend of mine, HIV status unknown.  We both performed unprotected oral sex on one another, and then we had protected vaginal intercourse.  After the sex I noticed the wet spots on the sheets from her vaginal fluids were tinged with blood and pointed it out--she said she was just finishing up her period.  I'm not concerned about the intercourse since we used a condom and it was intact when I took it off.  However, I did perform oral sex on her for several minutes without protection.  I vaguely remember tasting the blood but didn't really put two and two together until afterward.  I didn't have any open cuts or sores in my mouth that I knew of, but I did brush my teeth about half an hour before we got together.  Does this situation warrant testing?

Thanks

[RapidRod]

Please do not start a new thread every time you have another question or thought - regardless if you think your questions are related to each other or not. It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Additional threads will be merged.

If you cannot find your thread, click on the "Show own posts" link in the left-hand column of any forum page, under your name.

[Ann]

Ent,

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 everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

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.




No, you don't need to test specifically over this incident. You do need to test at least once a year as a matter of routine. You've already been told this. Re-read your entire thread.

Ann