Oral sex risk

[Anxietyissues]

Hi

I have had a number of experiences over the pat few months; all protected vaginal sex (no condom breakage) and three cases of unprotected oral sex. In all 3 (5,3, and 2.5 months ago) they were mutual oral; I both gave and received. I understand that receiving is very low risk, but what about giving? In all 3 there was orgasam on her part.

This is what has me worried.

Thanks

[RapidRod]

You never had a risk of contracting HIV from oral sex.

[Anxietyissues]

So, is testing necessary? I cannot test for a couple of weeks and it is driving me crazy. I assume that condom protected vaginal sex is ok, but at least the info I have read on the internet says I have a risk with giving oral sex.

Thanks!

[RapidRod]

No risk, no need to test over this incident.

[jkinatl2]

Caveat:

Though you don't need to test over this incident, you ought to be getting twice yearly STD panels anyhow, including an HIV screening. Other STDs are easy to catch, can cause much damage if left untreated, and often show no symptoms.

[Anxietyissues]

Thanks guys! I took a rapid test this morning that came back negative for HIV. No surprise for you, but a big relief for me. While not "definitive" since it is an 11 week post exposure on the last one, but more than enough to remove my anxiety 

I have been doing an annual screen for STDs with my physical already, but that is not until August and the anxiety would probably have made me worse.

Again, thanks for all the feedback!

[Andy Velez]

Although any sex with anything other than only your own hand theoretically has some risk, science and decades of experience in the epidemic have demonstrated that the only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse.

If you need the inevitable negative result at 3 months then by all means get tested. I don't expect anything but another negative result for you.

[Anxietyissues]

Hi Everyone

I had an encounter with a couple of CSWs in China 5 weeks ago. We used condoms for both oral and vaginal sex. They changed condoms when I changed ladies. They seemed to know to what they were doing with them, but they changed them so fast I did not get the chance to inspect them, but I did not see anything that resembled a broken condom.

I got tested for STDs 10 days after the encounter and was negative. I got an antibody test (icma) at 25 day past exposure and it was negative. Inow after five weeks I am having a mild fever (99.5) and have some potential swollen lymph nodes (my neck is sore but no obviously swelling). I am worried now that I am starting to see ARS and my nerves will not let me relax. I can't sleep or focus on much of anything and only this and one other website have helped me manage.

A few questions:

1. I understand the risk is low, but is is zero?
2. Are ARS symptoms possible at five weeks?
3. Is there any value to my 25 day antibody test?


Thanks for your great help!

[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.

[Andy Velez]

I've merged your threads here. In the future please follow our rule as stated in the opening thread of this section and keep all of your entries in this one thread.

As for your latest question, nothing but sex with your own hand is 100% safe. However, properly used condoms provide very effective protection against HIV transmission. As long as condoms were used for the incident you are concerned about, then I don't see any cause for concern or any need for testing about that particular incident.

None of your symptoms are in anyway HIV specific. If they persist you should discuss them with your doctor.

The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure. A negative at 3 months can be considered conclusive.

In your case testing is really more for your peace of mind than anything else as I don't see that you have really had a risk. So testing is strictly up to you.   

[Anxietyissues]

Sorry about the multiple threads. It won't happen again.

I cannot seem to be able to get myself calmed down. I am 100% sure the condoms were not broken, but I can't seem to get that through my paranoid mind. Is there any value in getting a 5 or 6 week test (it is past 5 weeks now) to ease my mind? In my own mind I have several symptoms (sore neck area - lymph nodes?, mild fever, mild diarrhea) that I feel I must have it.

Thanks for your help.

[Andy Velez]

I've already told you that testing for you is strictly for your peace of mind since you did not have a for-real risk. A negative at 6 weeks will confirm that for you.

[Anxietyissues]

Thanks Andy!

I appreciate the advice and support that you have given me.

I know I had no risk and my rational mind understands this; it's just that irrational little monster makes it more difficult.

Again Thanks.