Oral sex and human bite

[Ulisse]

First of all, I want to thank the moderators and those who generously contribute to keep this forum active. You're a tremendous help and comfort, even for those living far from the United States.

I'm aware that the issue of oral sex (passive and active) has been widely debated in other threads. However, I'd like to ask a clarification, after reading a study, that dates back to 2011, partially published in a well known website:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083326/

If it's true -as has been repeatedly pointed out- that saliva is not an effective vehicle of HIV transmission during oral sex (especially passive), why it may be in the case of a human bite, such as the one described in the report I linked?

Thanks.

[Jeff G]

This is the crux of the matter ...The potential risk of HIV-1 infection following human bite although epidemiologically insignificant, but it is biologically possible .

There is nothing in the article you site that is in disagreement with what we provide in our risk assessments . We routinely advise that in cases where there are significant wounds or meth mouth transmission of HIV is a possibility .

We do risk assessments in this forum , did you have a risk ? 

[Ulisse]

Thanks Jeff for your reply.

Yes, I think I had a risk.
About three weeks ago I received a fellatio by a sex worker, in a Eastern European country, where I was staying for work reasons.
After the fellatio I noticed a small abrasion (minimally bleeding) at the base of the frenulum. I'm not circumcised. I washed, and I've disinfected. Bleeding has stopped quickly.

But, anyway, my question was, also, a request for clarification: why if there's a risk from saliva after a bite, there isn't the same risk if saliva enters the urethra or is absorbed by the soft tissues of the penis?

I hope I explained my concerns and doubts properly. English is not my native language.

[Jeff G]

Saliva in isn't infectious for HIV but if you have significant open wounds and you GAVE a blowjob to a man with a high viral load there could be a theoretical risk .

Your situation is not similar , you were not performing sex on a HIV positive male that ejaculated into your mouth and onto significant wounds .

Nothing in the case you site is remotely similar . You did not have a risk . 

[Joe K]

I agree with Jeff that you did not have a risk.  The link you provided, deals with saliva that has been tainted by blood and because the blood is infectious, the combination becomes infectious.  Saliva untainted by blood is not infectious.

Joe

[Ulisse]

Thanks Jeff.

Killfoile, on that report I read: Our observations revealed transmission of HIV infection from the smear of non-contaminated (with blood) saliva of [Mr.X] on the raw and bleeding nail bed of (Mr.A).

I thought that my case is similar.

[anniebc]

We can only tell you again that in the entire history of the epidemic there has never been a confirmed case of HIV transmission to a guy via his getting a BJ, and you are not going to make history by becoming the first.

In regards to your question about human bites:

A human bite is generally classed as a superficial bite, and it is very rare for a bite to penetrate all 3 layers of the skin deeming it to be a large open wound, any infected fluids need to enter the blood stream to be of any risk at all, this did not happen in your case...you have not had any risks that would cause you to be worried about HIV.

Jan

[Jeff G]

You case is not similar , it was not a significant deep wound .

You should be relived to know that there has never been anyone infected in the manner you are concerned over . HIV is sexually acquired via unprotected vaginal and anal sex . Use condoms correctly and consistently and you will avoid HIV , its that simple .

We get lots of people who try to find doubt about our assessments because they do not understand the science behind transmission and make the mistake of mixing risk factors to fit their own fear , we eventually advise them that if they want to test for peace of mind then by all means go test and expect a negative result .

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED HIV TESTING AT THIS TIME for this incident , 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

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