Oral Sex Assessment

[theace]

Hi All,

Firstly commendations on an absolutely fantastic board and service you provide.

I have long read the forums ( as a guest) in relation to any possible exposure I felt I had to HIV. About me I'm in my mid 20's and from Sydney, recently I decided to have a sexual liaison with a transsexual- which was oral sex both ways without ejaculation. I did ask about recent STD checks and was assured she was free but as you have all suggested some people don't know. I then progressively became concerned about my experience and anxiety settled -

I came your forums and Medhelp to mention another and found many posts with same scenario and questions all of which where described as no-risk or very low (unlikely) risk: or to put it another way testing is not required.

So I proceeded to contact the Sydney Sexual Health Centre and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre - to those who don't know are considered as some of the premier sexual health services centres in just in AU but in the world. The Sydney centre advised that I didn't need to test for anything that they considered theoretical and low risk and not to be worried. However the Melbourne centre the nurse outright told me no risk and not to even worry about it, she went on further to say that both centres are Government departments tasked with minimising STD transmission via the services they provide and to give out advise that was medically correct and  in the interest of the public.

She finished her conversation with " why in the world would I tell you not to worry and it was no risk if I did not genuinely believe it was such and if it were otherwise you can be sure I would drag you in here go home relax take it easy you dont need HIV testing because you just don't have it and you wont be the individual that will cause us to re-think HIV Science by getting it via oral receptive or insertive- see your GP and get checked for other std's "

This left me quite surprised and comforted given her role and remit - so moving forward will I test for what I have been advised is no risk - yes probably most due to the inherent anxiety most people have and probably just to comfort myself.

[jkinatl2]

Can't think of anything to add to the wonderful advice you have gotten!

Absolutely no risk, no need to test.

[theace]

I know was very impressed with her approach and I even discussed my feelings of what if's surrounding my oral health & the possibility of my partner having HIV and me been that one person. All she could say is that she couldn't stop me from thinking that, but urged me to consider what she advised from a logical and medical stand point and to really think about the implications of her giving me information that could even be potentially incorrect.

I guess sometimes its difficult to accept things when anxious and to focus with a logical mind as most people are inward thinking, so even now I have accepted what she said and taken solace from it but still have some anxiety - but for my own sake will likely check because im a stubborn and anxious mule

I also bought up the fact that "i googled" she said that information was always going to be mixed and you will always find something that will tell you what you want to and what you don't want  to hear and that Australian Health Dept are on the edge of STD/HIV science. Melbourne don't even list oral sex as a transmission pathway on their site.

[jkinatl2]

I know was very impressed with her approach and I even discussed my feelings of what if's surrounding my oral health & the possibility of my partner having HIV and me been that one person. All she could say is that she couldn't stop me from thinking that, but urged me to consider what she advised from a logical and medical stand point and to really think about the implications of her giving me information that could even be potentially incorrect.

I guess sometimes its difficult to accept things when anxious and to focus with a logical mind as most people are inward thinking, so even now I have accepted what she said and taken solace from it but still have some anxiety - but for my own sake will likely check because im a stubborn and anxious mule

I also bought up the fact that "i googled" she said that information was always going to be mixed and you will always find something that will tell you what you want to and what you don't want  to hear and that Australian Health Dept are on the edge of STD/HIV science. Melbourne don't even list oral sex as a transmission pathway on their site.

You have no idea how refreshing it is to hear about a government website - and representative thereof - who is using science and not mis/disinformation. Hell, the CDC in the US even claims KISSING is a potential route of transmission, despite that myth having been thoroughly debunked over a decade and a half ago.

Things like this make my meager contributions to scientific accuracy and public health seem worth it. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

And about being a stubborn mule, that's totally your call. Though do me a favor, please? At the three month window get a FULL STD panel. Syphilis shares the three month window period with HIV at any rate, and other STDs are far more easily passed through oral contact - including herpes and syphilis, which only need skin to skin contact.

Sometimes I notice that people get single-mindedly obsessed with HIV to the exclusion of other STDs - STDs which can cause great damage and even be fatal if left untreated, and which can often show very few (if any) primary symptoms.

[jkinatl2]

Hi

Of course- I was recently tested about 2 months for the lot and all clear- but will follow up with the same , just so you know she advised at 6 weeks for HIV is the accepted window period by the centre, like I said they're right on edge of science .

Below is the link

http://www.mshc.org.au/general/STIsInformation/tabid/219/Default.aspx

and clearly states:

HIV is in the blood, vaginal secretions and semen of a person with the virus and is passed on by vaginal or anal sex without a condom or by sharing drug injecting equipment.

Interesting maybe the Aussies know something others don't.

Thanks for the link! I went ahead and quoted your last post, then deleted it because you only get three free ones, and I wanted to make certain you have room to post your inevitable negative result.

Cheers!