Anxious and Stressed Over Oral Sex Risk Exposure

[anxiousfromph]

Good day! I would really like to know your insights regarding my possible risk encounter. I am from the Philippines, by the way.

3 weeks ago, I had an unprotective oral sex with a random guy on Grindr. I asked him if he was safe and he said yes (but I am not sure if he is). Anyways, we started out kissing and I gave him a blowjob. He was also fingering me while I was giving him head. Our encounter concluded with him ejaculating in my mouth and I swallowed it all.

My question is, does swallowing his sperm increases my risk of infecting HIV? I brushed my teeth and had mouthwash before the encounter. As far as I can recall, I have no cuts or lesions in the mouth just 2 wisdom tooths erupting.

I have been very stressed out thinking about this since I swallowed his cum. I will be having my HIV test by next week and I am really afraid that my results might yield reactive.

Hope to hear from you very soon! Thanks!

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Look I read your post three times, I think you are overthinking this one, try to relax.

The fingering is not an HIV risk, and as for the BJ & swallowing, generally speaking, the mouth simply lacks route (Cells to infect) for HIV, and even if there was damage to your mouth creating route than saliva neutralizes HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells, air is also a factor and your stomach is also hostile

All in all, giving a blowjob is a minute concern with regards to HIV that we don't even recommend specifically testing over it. Just get tested whenever you are next normally due a routine check-up.

If this was your only sexual activity since your last routine HIV screening then relax.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP as an additional layer of HIV protection going forward

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages

Kind regards

Jim

Please Note.
As a member of the AM I Infected Forum you are required to only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter. You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here. 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. Any additional threads will be deleted.

 

[anxiousfromph]

Thank you for your reassuring reply, Jim. It got me very anxious since most results in Google said that swallowing can increase the risk and that really frightened me. My mind has been in circles since after the encounter.

However I have some follow up questions...

1) Since brushing can tear microscopic or small parts of the gum, is it possible for the semen to reach the bloodstream thru those tears?

2) Let's say the guy I gave oral was positive with HIV and STD. I know I might get STD in oral but is it still a high risk for me to contract HIV?

[Jim Allen]

1) Asked and answered 

even if there was damage to your mouth creating route than saliva neutralizes HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells, air is also a factor

If you had open bleeding wounds or sores like "meth mouth" it might be a factor although as pointed out even if there was damage to your mouth creating route than saliva neutralizes HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells

2)

The HIV risk was minute i,e near negligible. Him having an STI does not change how HIV is or is not transmitted and the barriers to transmission.

STI's increasing the risk would factor in if you had a pre-existing STI causing inflammation or sores in your mouth although as pointed out even if there was damage to your mouth creating route than saliva neutralizes HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells

So hence my assessment of giving a BJ is it's minute i,e near negligible HIV risk that does not warrant stressing or testing outside of normal yearly routine. If this was your only sexual activity since your last routine HIV screening then relax.

Jim

[anxiousfromph]

Thanks for the reply  Jim! I have another question though just to clear out things from my overthinking mind...

Per articles I've read, the virus can be transmitted if your partner has a high viral load and the one doing the oral has open sores or lesions. Let's say the guy I had oral has a high viral load, and I have oral lesions or sores. Is there a great risk for me to contract the virus?

Many thanks again!

[Jim Allen]

No, and asked & answered already.

See when providing risk assessment we always presume the person that people had contact with is living with HIV untreated and has a high viral load.

If this was your only sexual activity since your last routine HIV screening then relax, it was a minute risk that does not warrant any stress or testing outside of standard yearly routine

[anxiousfromph]

Hi again Jim! Unfortunately this is not my only encounter prior to this one. I had a series of giving oral sex to guys that I've known their status and its either I spit or swallow their cum. This was the only exception. Never had insertive or receptive anal though. Will this increase my risk of getting the virus?

I also asked with our local HIV testing site about the probability of getting HIV thru oral sex and they always point out that there is a possibility of contracting the virus if there are open wounds. And as far as I can remember, I had no open wounds during the encounter but what if there was?

I am really sorry for being so paranoid. It just keeps on buggling in my mind that I might have contracted the virus. 

[Jim Allen]

I had no open wounds during the encounter but what if there was?

Asked & answered already s number of times and you can ask me 50 different ways the answer will remain the same

When providing risk assessment we always presume the person that people had contact with is living with HIV untreated and has a high viral load.

Even if you had open bleeding wounds or sores like "meth mouth" it might be a factor although as pointed out even if there was damage to your mouth creating route than saliva & air neutralizes HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells

All in all, it was a minute risk that does not warrant any stress or testing outside of standard yearly routine

I had a series of giving oral sex to guys that I've known their status and its either I spit or swallow their cum. This was the only exception

Unless you locked these guys up 24/7 for 3 months, then at the end tested them yourself you actually have no factual definite way of knowing their HIV status ... I very much doubt that happened so you simply don't know their status. It's also irrelevant as for risk assessment we simply presume they are positive

Now I do wish you well but there is very little I can help you with, you have been provided a risk assessment and this continued irrational fear is simply not something I'm going to be able to resolve for you over the internet. I recommend considering PrEP in the future for peace of mind as an additional layer against HIV and talking to a therapist about your fears and learning how to cope

I wish you all the best

Jim

[anxiousfromph]

Many thanks Jim! This is very comforting and it has lessen my anxieties.
So it safe to say that even if I had a give a thousand blowjobs to someone who is positive and either I spit or swallow their cum, there is a minumum risk of contacting the virus?

Will try not to think about it as you've pointed out this is not something to be very alarmed. Thanks again 

[Jim Allen]

Glad to hear that.

The act of giving a blowjob is a minute as in near negligible HIV concern. 5x a near negligible risk per act is still a near negligible risk.

Talk to your heathcare provider provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV and for your peace of mind.

Jim

[anxiousfromph]

Hi again! I had my test today 4 weeks post exposure and the result came negative. I had a rapid test with Anti HIV 1/2 4th Gen Kit. Is the test conclusive?
Also, I am currently having a sore under my tongue. Is this something to be worried as an HIV symptom?
Many thanks!

[Jim Allen]

Hiya

You had no real world risk or reason to test you know that right? I say this as I don't recommend the merry-go-round of testing outside of yearly routine unless there was a real risk, simply because it's not a good coping strategy to fall into

Anyhow, if you must test at 6 weeks & 3 months post event for a definite result

[anxiousfromph]

Thanks Jim! Just had to since I was really anxious.
How about the sore under my tongue? Is this something I have to worry?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Sore under the tongue could be many things, but not HIV from this incident.
See your local doctor, to identify the type/cause of the sore and to treat it.#

Best, Jim

[anxiousfromph]

Thanks for all the replies, Jim! Truly appreciated it! 

[anxiousfromph]

Hello! It's been a while. I just want to ask some clarifications since my anxieties are attacking again.
I got tested 4 weeks post exposure and the test yielded non reactive. My last risk was the blowjob incident mentioned in this thread. My questions are:
1) Is there a possibility this result will change to reactive?  I have read some articles of people that their non reactive status changed to positive after several weeks.
2) Do I need to have myself retested? Is my non reactive test result 4 weeks post exposure not enough to detect if I am infected with the virus?

I hope to you can enlighten me so I can stop worrying so much. Thank you!

[Jim Allen]

Asked & answered already throughout this thread. I've quoted one of the answers below

Hiya

You had no real world risk or reason to test you know that right? I say this as I don't recommend the merry-go-round of testing outside of yearly routine unless there was a real risk, simply because it's not a good coping strategy to fall into

Anyhow, if you must test at 6 weeks & 3 months post event for a definite result

[anxiousfromph]

Hi again Jim! I just need your advice as my mind is literally killing me.
You see, I developed a mouth ulcer when I had my test done 4 weeks post exposure. The results though came negative. 2 weeks after, 2 mouth sores sprouted and then healed in a few days. Now, I am experiencing dry cough and another mouth sores. The mouth sores are recurring every 2 weeks. I had googled that both are common symptoms of HIV. I had a rapid test done yesterday and results came back negative. My question is, am i seroconverting? Do I need another retesting?

Please help me. Thank you

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Asked and answered already.

The vast majority of people have no initial symptoms or none noticeable and sores in the mouth would not one of them initially. See your doctor and treat your sores, and stop googling.


Best, Jim 

Hiya

You had no real world risk or reason to test you know that right? I say this as I don't recommend the merry-go-round of testing outside of yearly routine unless there was a real risk, simply because it's not a good coping strategy to fall into

Anyhow, if you must test at 6 weeks & 3 months post event for a definite result

[anxiousfromph]

Hi Jim! Is it safe to say that these 'symptoms' I am feeling is not related in any way to HIV? And is 8 week-ish HIV testing is considered conclusive?

Thanks a lot Jimmy!

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

You keep asking me the same thing you know that right? You had no real-world risk or reason to test, move on with your life instead of the merry-go-round of testing outside of yearly routine for no real reason.

If you must test for your own peace of mind test at 6 weeks & 3 months post-event for a definite result.

The symptoms you have had so far have nothing to do with HIV from the concerned incident, I do hope you feel better soon but instead of stressing about symptoms simply see your GP and treat whatever is making you unwell.

Best, Jim

[anxiousfromph]

Hi Guys!

It's been a while since I visited your site. I want to commend you for being a great help to many people like me who are very eager to know about HIV.

The reason why I came back is because I had an oral exposure again last February. My sexual partner and I blew each other and swallowed the seminal fluid. Fast forward to March and May 2020, on the 30th and 90th day mark respectively, I had myself tested for HIV and both results were non-reactive. However, this weekend until now, I am having a low grade fever, body malaise, dry cough, night sweats and headache. From the knowledge I had, these are symptoms of acute HIV infection.

My questions are, can these symptoms caused by HIV? Am I seroconverting at this point? I've read that there are cases of delayed seroconversion. Are my HIV test results not enough? Are they false negative? Do I need to get retested again? Please help. I am back to panicking right now. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you!

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

You had no exposure that warrants testing outside of regular routine screening.
Despite it not being needed you tested anyway after the window period and the result as expected was negative.

You did not acquire HIV from this incident and unless you have had other more recent exposures the result is not going to change. Move on with your life.

I wish you well but you need to start applying the information previously provided and if you come back with more "oral" exposures or questions, it's going to lead to a time out. Prehaps you should consider talking to someone face to face regarding fears and feelings and to your healthcare provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) as an additional layer of HIV prevention and for your peace of mind.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of HIV protection going forward

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

Kind regards

Jim

Please Note.
As a member of the "Do I have HIV?" Forum you are required to only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter. You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here. 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. Any additional threads will be deleted.