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Can HIV Be Contracted Through French Kissing?
Question: Hi, this question is about HIV transmission. I realize this is more of a phobia than a medical issue, but I would greatly appreciate the reassurance. A few weeks ago I busted my lip in a game of basketball. Hardly any blood but it left a sore inside of my lip. Later that day while my lip was still swollen I "french" kissed with someone of unknown HIV status, who also has dental issues. What I have read online so far says for HIV to have any possibility of being transmitted this way both people would have to have large open sores in their mouths. With me having that cut on my lip and her having ongoing dental issues I haven't been able to get this out of the back of my head. I'm 99.9% this is just a guilt issue for me, but I think my phobia could be relieved with a better understanding of how much blood has to be present for HIV transmission to even be a possibility. Does this encounter sound like any kind of risk for HIV?
Brief Answer:
The risk of transmission of HIV infection is very remote or negligible.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Welcome to HCM.
First of all, the risk of transmission of HIV infection is very less from oral sex as compared to vaginal or anal sex and the possibility in case of kissing or any other type is negligible or very remote so you need not to worry at all.
Second, there might be very remote possibility of HIV transmission with deep kissing when your lip is injured and the girl is having any other oral problem only when she is HIV positive so you have to be sure about her status.
Lastly, I will advice you to go for HIV testing after 3 months of exposure to be completely sure about your status and also to get relieved from your phobia.
Thank You
The risk of transmission of HIV infection is very remote or negligible.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Welcome to HCM.
First of all, the risk of transmission of HIV infection is very less from oral sex as compared to vaginal or anal sex and the possibility in case of kissing or any other type is negligible or very remote so you need not to worry at all.
Second, there might be very remote possibility of HIV transmission with deep kissing when your lip is injured and the girl is having any other oral problem only when she is HIV positive so you have to be sure about her status.
Lastly, I will advice you to go for HIV testing after 3 months of exposure to be completely sure about your status and also to get relieved from your phobia.
Thank You
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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