POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: marco mountain on April 08, 2012, 03:47:35 pm
-
Hi i'm a new member here. I recently had an unprotected oral sex with a person whom I do not know. I swallow his sperm. I didn't notice till the next day that I have a small cut on my mouth. My question is am I at risk of getting an HIV? and how many days/ months do I need to be tested because I'm really scared. Please I need you advice.
-
You are worrying unnecessarily. Your saliva contains over a dozen elements and proteins which very effectively prevent the transmission of viable HIV if it is present.
The only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. As long as you consistently use condoms for those activities you will be well protected.
This time there is no need for further concern nor for testing on your part.
-
Thank you for your reply. Because I'm very confused about what I've read in some websites that it is risky to swallow sperm especially if you have cuts or sores in the mouth.
-
But do I need my male partner to wear a condom every time i need to blowjob him? and is it okey to swallow sperm?
-
Not an HIV concern.
-
We cannot be responsible for what you may find on other sites or from other sources. But longterm studies of oral sex confirm that the risk from giving oral is theoretical.
The only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse.
-
Hi again. It's exactly one week now since I had that oral sex with a guy were in I swallow his sperm/semen and discovered the next day that I had bleeding cut on my mouth. I'm still worried because now I'm developing a cough and colds and I have fever. I also had diarrhea but only for one day. I also have phlegm on my throat. Do I still need to get tested from HIV? How many weeks do I still need to wait before I can undergo testing. I'm very much worried. Please advice me what to do. Thank you.
-
Marco,
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.
You're worrying for no good reason, as you have already been told.
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 THIS BLOWJOB, 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
-
Thank you so much for all your replies. I hope I can now have peace of mind. But should you recommend me to take an HIV test after three months or not longer necessary because of the fever and cough that I'm experiencing now? Thank you again.
-
Stop and listen for a moment. Why would it be necessary to get a test if we don't think you had a risk to begin with? You can test if you want to collect the inevitable negative result just for your peace of mind if you want to. But it's unnecessary.
Whatever is causing your symptoms is not HIV. You should discuss it with your doctor if the problem persists. This is not about HIV. Period.
-
I forgot to ask you about the risk If I had a bad teeth? sorry for my bad english because I'm not American. I have cavities on my teeth and some of it was broken. But I have not gone any dental procedures prior to that oral sex. I just had some of my teeth broken and some have cavities. Do I have a higher risk? I hope you will be patient to answer my queries. Thanks again
-
Bad tooth or not, still no risk.
-
But there was a part there in the gum which has a small hole because of the tooth that was taken out. I'm very much worried about that. As of now my fever has gone down but I still have a dry cough. I'm really really worried.
-
Hi I hope someone could answer me. I couldn't sleep very well last night because of thinking about my gum condition. I hope someone can give advice. Thanks in advance
-
Marco,
Does your mouth look like this...
(http://www.justice.gov/archive/olp/methawareness/images/methmouth_image_02.jpg)
...with gaping holes and terribly inflamed gums? No? Then stop worrying.
Re-read reply #7 - provided you always use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse (and make sure you get regular complete sexual health check-ups), you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
Ann
-
Thank you very much again for you answers. So I will rely on you Ann, I don't need to be tested for HIV. I hope my worries fade.
-
Doubts and fear are not facts. And the facts of the situation make clear you were not at risk.
Just get on with your life. Really.
-
Thank you again Sir Andy. I have a question where did you based your study on this? Because I'm still worried about what I've read in some studies that oral sex is also a high risk when it comes to transferring the virus especially when you are the one who swallowed the sperm. I'm really feel guilty right now of what I did. But with your comments, it somewhat lessen my worries.
-
Marco,
Go read my replies in this thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=42833.0) so I don't have to type it all out again. (DO NOT reply in that thread - or I'll have to hurt you give you a Time Out.)
I've never once read a study that said oral was a HIGH risk. But then again, I don't read old, outdated studies from the 80s and 90s like I suspect you did. I've already informed you of the more recent studies that looked at this - go re-read your thread.
You're just going to have to decide for yourself how you feel about giving blowjobs. If doing so is going to freak you out, maybe you'd be better off not putting anyone's penis in your mouth. Oral sex isn't anything to feel guilty about - it's a normal, natural human activity.
The bottom line here is this - if you cannot bring yourself to believe us when we say you didn't have a risk for hiv infection, go test, collect your negative result and get on with your life.
You won't be permitted to use this forum to wring your hands over your guilty feelings. If you read the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:
Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
Please consider yourself warned!
Ann
-
I'm sorry about asking too much. Because I'm again in a state of panic. This morning I woke up and noticed that my gums were developing with white thrush. But not really sure because when I gurgle it with mouthwash it was gone. I'm getting nervous again.
-
Marco,
That is NOT thrush.
I'm giving you that time out you've been warned about. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann
-
I'm back after the 28 days banned. I'm really sorry for that. I'm trying to move on with this incident but still being worried because 3 days earlier I have mouth sore / ulcer. It's been a long time since I had this I think years already. I'm not sure if this is just a coincidence but I cannot stop to worry if this is a symptoms of HIV. I already went to the dentist, he gave me rotavex solution and avodyl mouthwash. Before it was only one on the right cheek now after two days there is also another small one on the right side cheek also. I still want to get test for HIV. But the problem is that I'm staying here in Saudi Arabia and Homosexual acts here is prohibited by the Law. I'm afraid that if I go for testing they might report me to the authorities because what I did was oral sex with a man and it is against the law here. I'm trying to buy an oraquick HIV kit in pharmacies here in our place but i couldn't find anyone selling that kind of testing kit. I'm still really worried. I hope this is not HIV. I'm still young and I don't want my future to be at risk, Please help me. I really learned my lesson. It was the first time I had oral sex. I never had any sex experience before even anal and definitely not viginal because I'm gay. Only this oral sex that's why I'm still worried. I cannot tell my parents about this because they are also conservative. I want to make sure I'm not really at risk
-
Didn't you learn anything from your first time out?
-
Actually I'm trying to forget all about this incident. But I begun to panic again because of the mouth sores I have. Right after I discovered I have mouth sores, I instantly went to the dentist. Although I didn't tell him about the oral sex incident. After that he gave me medicine to take but 2 days earlier there another one that come out. It's painful to chew food. That's why I becoming worried again. i want to try to test at least oraquick test but I cannot find any Pharmacy here in our place selling that kit.
-
■Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result, or no-risk situation will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
-
Please do not ban me again. I'm just seeking help. i cannot have face to face with you because I'm not from america. I'm staying here in Saudi. If only this country is an open country I think I it would not be a problem for me. But it is difficult here. I think I gonna have a nervous breakdown just to find a solution to my problem. I beg you please don't ban me here. I just want to get your opinion. Sir Andy and Ann Please I need your advice...
-
While we appreciate that you are worrying, there really is nothing more we can do for you in this setting. Despite your fears about it, nothing you did put you at risk for HIV.
Whatever is causing the sores in your mouth is not HIV. See another doctor about that problem and perhaps you can get some help.
And yes, if you continue to return here about this same issue you are going to get a Time Out again because HIV is the problem. Period.
Consider yourself warned!
-
Marco,
You do not need to tell the health care worker why you are testing for hiv. It seems that only testing is going to allow you to put this behind you, so just go do it, collect your negative result (that's what you'll get) and move on with your life.
You will not be permitted to use this website to continually wring your hands over this no risk incident. I don't care where you're located - just man up and get tested and get it over with. You're going to test hiv negative, without doubt.
Ann
-
Please this is my last question. Please be patient with me. I will never post again... Hope I can get answers.
I've read in the net that there are cases that sometimes symptoms doesn't show up and will take years before the patient will know he is infected. I'm trying to follow your advice not to take a test. because it's really hard to be tested here in Saudi I'm afraid that if I will become positive I might be deported. What will happen to a person who didn't take a test but positive with HIV? Is it possible that not all the symptoms will show up during the window period but the person is infected with HIV and will only show after years? Did you encountered cases like that especially in cases of oral sex? I hope you get my point really sorry for my bad english.... I just need to calm my self from fear....
-
Marco,
You do not need to tell the health care worker why you are testing for hiv. It seems that only testing is going to allow you to put this behind you, so just go do it, collect your negative result (that's what you'll get) and move on with your life.
You will not be permitted to use this website to continually wring your hands over this no risk incident. I don't care where you're located - just man up and get tested and get it over with. You're going to test hiv negative, without doubt.
Marco, need to stop surfing the net. All it does is feed your worst fears to no good purpose. Ann has carefully evaluated your non-risk situation.
While I appreciate that you are worried, your worrying has no basis in HIV science. If you come back here again about this non-risk with more what if questions you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site for at least 28 days. Consider yourself warned!
HIV is not your problem.
Get on with your life.
Ann
-
Hi This is my last post.... I would just like to share with you the situation here in Saudi how strict they are and how difficult it is to access testing here. Because here you need to present your IQUAMA (national ID) to them and they can have acces to your information. Tha'ts why Its quite a risk to test here maybe they can arrest me. That's why I will trust you Ann, Andy and all the advisers here that for now I will not test for HIV even though I'm still worried. but will wait til January of next year to be tested in other country... I need you assurance that I'm really negative with HIV. Thank you.
Here is the news article.
December 15, 2011
Rates of HIV continue to rise along with the number of AIDS-related deaths in the Arab world, despite progress made globally, new data show. The region's fight against HIV/AIDS is being stymied by social stigma, government inaction, and limited access to medical care, experts say.
The Middle East and North Africa are among the top regions with the fastest growing HIV epidemics, said Aleksander Sasha Bodiroza, HIV/AIDS adviser at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
"The common thread that links all countries in the region is the impact of stigma and discrimination, which are among the primary reasons that people living with HIV or key populations at risk of HIV infection do not have access to essential HIV services," Bodiroza said. "These two factors also limit the ability of governments and civil society to provide services. Without strong leadership, it is unlikely that these issues will be fully or properly addressed."
In addition, same-sex relationships and premarital sex often are criminalized in the region. "If I were to sum it up in one word, my life is one big secret," said a 29-year-old HIV-positive man in Beirut. "While I came out to my family a long time ago, this is something I have not shared with them. I could never burden them with that."
Some more liberal countries are starting to respond, with a media outreach launched last month in Egypt and Lebanon over the airways and on billboards. The "Let's Talk" campaign, organized by UNFPA and the countries' health ministries, features a former beauty queen and a popular band and will run through December. The campaign encourages people to get screened for HIV and lists free and anonymous testing centers.
-
Ann, Sir Andy and all the advisers here. I will trust your advice to me that it is not necessary to get a test because I'm not at risk. I told you already about my situation here in Saudi, how difficult it is to become gay here and to get a test for HIV. I'm trying to overcome with my anxieties and fear. I love my family so much and I don't want them to know about my problem. That's why only in this forum I can express what I feel. I've learned a lot from this forum and also from the experience that I had before about that sexual encounter (oral sex). I want to move on with my life. I'm very much having difficulty about this feeling it's been a month and a half since that incident but the feeling of guilt and fear still remains in me. I really want to move on. Thank you for all the advice you gave me even though sometimes there is still doubt on my part. But as I've said I will trust your advice. Maybe if I have a chance to get a test in other country. I will do it, just for peace of mind... But for now I will follow your advice not to test..
-
Whenever and wherever you get around to testing we have no doubts the result is going to be negative.
There is nothing more or new we can add in relation to your concern.
However, if you continue to return here with more what ifs and worries you are going to find yourself getting another time out. This time it will be for 56 days. We've done what we can do for you in this setting. Stop with the unwarranted drama and get on with your life.
Consider yourself warned.
-
You always say in this forum that there is a 0 risk for oral sex even if you swallow the semen. Does Saliva automatically kills the virus once it is mixed with the saliva? What are the enzimes or proteins active in the saliva to make the infection of the virus inefficient? Thanks and hoping for an explanation
-
■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.
-
You can merge it with my older post. Although I said there that I'm not gonna post anymore there. But I'm just curious how effective is saliva in killing HIV virus. because I can't search any website explaining how it is happened.
-
Marco,
Yeah, you didn't want to post in your original thread anymore because you hoped we'd forget about your time out warning. I didn't forget - but thanks for giving me the extra work of merging your threads. I don't have anything better to do that to clean up after you, after all.
We're not going to go around and around with you anymore about the minute details.
If you cannot bring yourself to believe you haven't had a real risk, go test, collect your negative result and get on with your life already.
I'm giving you that second time out you tried to avoid by starting a new thread. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann