toothbrush

[paulbuxton]

Hi.

I performed oral sex on a transexual, this was the first time i';d ever sucked someone and I immiedtaely felt guilt and stopped after 20-30seconds. She did not cum, and I can't remember tasting any pre-cum - I assume there was only a bit if any.

Does this reduce my risk even lower, due to the low duration of contact/no ejaculation?

If I was to get HIV tested, how accurate (in rough percentage terms) would a 4week test be?

Thank you in advance.

[Ann]

Paul,

Giving a blowjob is on the very, very low risk end of the scale no matter how long it lasts. It's unlikely that you would have become infected from this encounter.

The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks. A six week negative should be confirmed at the 12-13 week point, but that is for people who have had a real risk. In your case, it's up to you if you want to test over this specific incident.

However, you need to know that 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 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.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no excpetions and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

Ann

edited to add the link to the Welcome Thread, where you can find further links to Lessons as well as our posting guidelines.

[Andy Velez]

If you haven't already read the lesson on this site about transmission then please do so.

Giving oral is at the very low end of the risk scale. Even though it is one of the most common of sexual activities there have been very, very few documented cases of transmission in this manner. And even some of those are questionable.

By contrast there have been longterm studies of sero-dystonic couples who engaged in both unprotected oral and protected vaginal/anal intercourse. The results were no infections among sero-negative partners who gave oral.

So many would not even consider what you did to be risky, particularly since ejaculation did not take place.

Which means it's strictly up to you about whether to test or not. In general it is a good idea if you're sexually active to get a full STD panel done at least annually, and more often if there is what we consider a genuine risk such as unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

This time out the only reason for testing is for your peace of mind.

Cheers,

[paulbuxton]

Hi,

sorry to post again.

I have experienced in the past 2 days a slight rash ( a bit red and blotchy) on my forearms only and only on the top part of them and have experience a very mild sore throat. The rash maybe only stays for 10-20mins before dissapeering. Could it be caused by anxiety?


Could this be indicative of ARS? I know you say that you cant tell either way, but what type of rash is ARS meant to cause? and is a sore throat a common symptom of ARS?

If I was to get tested now, and this was ARS, would I most likely show up positive?

[Matty the Damned]

Hi,

sorry to post again.

I have experienced in the past 2 days a slight rash ( a bit red and blotchy) on my forearms only and only on the top part of them and have experience a very mild sore throat. The rash maybe only stays for 10-20mins before dissapeering. Could it be caused by anxiety?


Could this be indicative of ARS? I know you say that you cant tell either way, but what type of rash is ARS meant to cause? and is a sore throat a common symptom of ARS?

If I was to get tested now, and this was ARS, would I most likely show up positive?

Paul,

It's not ARS. The likelihood of you having contracted HIV from this encounter is, in real terms, zero. Please read our diamonte studded Welcome Thread. We don't discuss symptoms here because they're not a specific indicator for HIV infection. Risk behaviours are, and you don't have any.

For what it's worth, most people who test positive for HIV do so within 4-6 weeks of exposure.

As Ann mentioned, other STD's are far more prevalent and infectious than HIV. You may want to be tested for these.

MtD

[paulbuxton]

Hi,

I had a test (now at nearly 6weeks) which has come back negative. I am extremely pleased and will re-test at 3months to be completely sure.

The rash I mentioned in the earlier post, well it seems I was being stupid - i'm in a hot country and it comes and goes when I go in and out of the heat/sun - no wonder if was just on the tops of my arms haha! Still; have a sore throat, but it isn't a usual symptom of ARS I think, and besides I was negative at 6weeks anyway!!

[Ann]

Paul,

While it is rare to become infected with hiv through giving blowjobs, it is much more common to get sexually transmitted infections such as gonnorhea or chlamydia in your throat. These can cause your throat to be sore, but sometimes they cause no symptoms at all. Get to a doctor and have your throat swabbed so you can find out what is causing your discomfort. Whatever it is, it will not be hiv.

It's highly unlikely that your six week negative hiv result will change.

Ann

[paulbuxton]

Sorry. I had taken your advice about a full STD check up, but am waiting on my return to England where I can get a full checkup free (in 3weeks time or so). It is too expensive where I currently am.

Thanks for your advice

I just want to add also, I have learnt so much about HIV from your site - I use to think that any  sex with someone with HIV led to AIDs, which is obviously wrong. And evben without protection it is not easy to catch - no wonder theres no problems for any normal social activity. I also use to think HIV was basically 5-10years dead, but from what i've read everyone with HIV and treatment can seem to live a near enough normal lifespan - I certainly will be donating any charity money to getting drugs to those countries that need them most.

[paulbuxton]

Hi,

I tested negative for HIV at 7months (Feb 07) following a potential exposure. However, other circumstances in my life have potentially opened up another one;

A friend was staying round my room who had broken up with the last 3months with a guy who ended up being gay - he had told her he had always engaged in safe sex so was not at risk. They had been having unprotected sex.

I happened to accidently for less than 10 seconds use her toothbrush, there was no visible blood and i'm fairly sure I rinised the toothbrush before I started to brush my teeth. I immiedtaly thought of the HIV risk, and suddenly remembered I may have used her toothbrush on a few occasions in december 2006 (although not certain).

I have fairly healthy gums, they bleed on the odd occassion. Do I have a risk? Should I be worried?

[Andy Velez]

You are worrying completely needlessly on this one. It's all about What Ifs in your head and nothing based in HIV science.

Even IF your friend's ex is HIV+ (a big if) and even IF she is HIV+ and even IF her blood got on to your toothbrush and and and. HIV is a fragile virus which is not easily passed. It requires a friendly atmosphere like the inside of a vagina or an anus.

This is not even remotely a risky situation. You would be better served by reading our lesson on Transmission than roaming around in the land of What Ifs. There's a link to it in the Welcome thread which opens this section.

This is NOT an HIV situation. Period.

[Ann]

Paul,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

I agree with Andy. This toothbrush thing is NOT an hiv concern.

Ann

[paulbuxton]

So even if my friend was HIV+ (worst case), I couldn't get HIV from sharing the toothbrush a few times?

I feel concerned as I have a slight rash on arms/chest and a mild sore throat.

[RapidRod]

You have nothing to worry about. You may be able to get some other periodontal disease from using someone else's tooth brush.