Am I doing things right?

[1qguy]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if I could please ask some advise?  I am a young gay man who is for the most part really comfortable with the precautions I have taken to prvent HIV in my sex life.

I always use condoms with anal sex and even then, never enage in it unless I am in a relationship.

I am a bit worried about what to do about oral sex.  In the past 4 months I have fooled around with a few guys on a few nights out - about 5 different guys to be exact.  All of unknow HIV status. We picked each other up at nightclubs on all occassions.

We only engaged in oral sex, both inserive and receptive.  When I was givving the oral sex I never once took any cum in my mouth, but most likely precum. It was always just for a few minutes each time. On one of the most recent occassions I hooked up with two guys in one day and the evening before I had bitten my tongue on the tip and it was still a bit sore the next day when I hooked up. With a small little white scar/redness.  Does this make it a real risk I should worry about?

I also received oral sex and sometimes guys can be a bit rough - I am guessing from the archives in this forum that even with a bit of bruising (almost like a hicky on my penis) after, this is still a non-issue as far as HIV risk goes?  Or maybe this changes things?

I am happy with the amount of sex I have (this 5-guy hook-up in a few months isn't that normal for me, but still I guess as a young single guy pretty fun). It has been summer vacation time after all. I basically just want to be reasssured on if I am playing safe. 

Do I need to head out and test now after the few oral instances I described?  Do you think I could have contracted HIV from my oral fun?

Thanks so much for helping out.

A bit concerned guy

 

[Ann]

Guy,

Getting blown is absolutely NOT a risk for hiv infection, no matter what sort of spin you can think of to put on it. As long as you have normal oral health, giving blowjobs are not a concern either.

As for testing, as a sexually active adult, you should be having a full sexual health check-up at least once a year.

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

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.

Ann

[1qguy]

Thanks you Ann for such a quick response.  My oral health is pretty great and the small bite on tongue was already a day old.  I have no bleeding gums, ulcers etc....

I have had two tests for HIV in the past (roughly a year apart)  with the last one being about 8 months ago. 

May I ask, in your professional opion, if my blow-job escapades specifically warrant HIV testing?

Many thanks

[Ann]

Guy,

No, I do not think your blowjobs warrant testing over. Just keep getting your routine tests like you have been. As I said before, don't forget to always test for all the other STIs as well, as they are much easier to transmit. They don't always have obvious symptoms either. You'd be wise to get vaccinated against hep B too - talk to your doctor about it.

Keep up the good work - you're doing what you're supposed to.

Ann

[1qguy]

Thank you kindly - you have cleared up a great deal in my mind and uncertainties.