HIV and cunniligus (risky exposure with a prostitute)

[Travelera]

I visited an FKK in Berlin 6 weeks ago. I performed cunnilingus on a sex worker (a 69ner) for about 5 mins. I was on the bottom. I chewed and licked the lower lip of her vagina. When my tongue tasted the vaginal secretion - I stopped licking and chewing - I tried not swallow any fluid (I held it in my mouth for about a min until she finished me). I spitted out and we both rinsed out mouths with listerine (she usually carried the mouthwash with her). I read that cervical fluid is infectious - is it possible that cervical fluid flowed down her cervical into my mouth because she was on top in the 69ner position. My throat has been feeling a bit strange since the risky exposure (could this be the primary stage of ARS).

[Ann]

Trav,

Cunnilingus, no matter what sort of spin you want to put on it, is not a risk for hiv infection. The cervical "fluid" you refer to is actually a thick mucus. It's there to protect the cervix and it doesn't flow anywhere.

Along with reading our Welcome Thread and reading the Transmission Lesson, here's what you need to know 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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with 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.

You also need to know that other STIs, such as gonorrhea, can be transmitted during oral sex. If your throat is bothering you, that could be the answer. See your doctor.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[Travelera]

Thanks Ann.

But I did taste the vaginal fluid which is infectious and contains HIV virus. I'm concerned that the vaginal fluid might have given me the discomfort in my throat.

I went to see the doctor about the throat irritation - he suspected strep throat - but the strep throat test came back -ve. I was embarrassed so tell him about my cunniligus incident.

I know after reading through most of the threads on this website, cunniligus is very low risk. But I can't help but be concerned about my incident.     

[RapidRod]

You do not get HIV from cunnilingus. You can however get other STDs.

[Travelera]

Thanks Rapidrod. I was concerned about herpes type 1 after the incident because she was sucking it. It has been 6 weeks - no symptoms so far.

[Ann]

Trav,

Get your throat swabbed at a sexual health clinic - they're used to doing throat swabs and won't bat an eye. You may well have a sore throat associated with an STI, but that STI won't be hiv.

Ann

[Travelera]

Thanks Ann.

4 days after the incident - I was very scared. I went to see the GP, he said I should relax about the cunniligus incident. I didn't have any STD symptoms at the time. He said to ease my concerns, he prescribed Cipro (500mg twice each day for 5 days). I assume this would knock out throat gonorrhea and clamedia.

One of the docs on the Internet said oral herpes type II is rare for cunniligus (rare in general) - may be syphillis of the throat.

[Ann]

Trav,

If you're worried about syphilis, a blood test would be needed. Syphilis shares a three month window period with hiv, but like hiv, a person who is actually infected with syphilis will usually test positive before the end of the three months.

When all is said and done, you probably had a run of the mill sore throat. It happens.

But whatever caused your sore throat, it was not hiv as hiv is not transmitted during cunnilingus.

But I did taste the vaginal fluid which is infectious and contains HIV virus. I'm concerned that the vaginal fluid might have given me the discomfort in my throat.
 

No, it is the cervical "fluid" (actually a thick mucus) that is infectious, not vaginal fluid. The fluid a woman produces when sexually excited comes from two glands on either side of the vaginal opening. This fluid has not been shown to be any more infectious than sweat or tears.

Unprotected vaginal intercourse is a risk for hiv infection, because the head of the penis comes into contact with the cervix. Your mouth did not come into contact with the sex worker's cervix. If you don't know much about female anatomy, you'll just have to trust me on that.

You did not have a risk for hiv infection. Use condoms, consistently and correctly, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[Travelera]

Ann - I got tested at the clinic today - rapid blood test - it was -ve at 6 weeks - is it conclusive?

[RapidRod]

Since you didn't have a risk to begin with it would be considered conclusive. If you ever have a REAL risk is is 12/13 weeks post exposure to obtain a conclusive result.

[Ann]

Trav,

I agree with Rod. You didn't have a risk - cunnilingus is NOT a risk - and as long as your test was done three months after your last incident of unprotected intercourse, you are indeed conclusively hiv negative.

Ann