Can HIV Be Contracted Through French Kissing?

Posted on Tue, 16 Aug 2016

Question: I am married and open mouth kissed another women during a guys weekend. I am ashamed, embarrassed and really worried that I acquired HIV from the kiss. I had a DNA / PCR test a day 24 which was negative and negative Antibody test at weeks 6, 8, 10 and 91 days past exposure. My question is would you consider a 3 month negative Antibody test conclusive evidence that I did not aquire HIV?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
HIV negative . Results conclusive.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. Welcome to health care magic.
I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query. I have gone through the details.

HIV is not transmitted by kissing unless there are open bleeding wounds in both. You would have noticed it if there were bleeding wounds. So the risk of HIV transmission is nil.

HIV Antibodies test is negative after 3 months. It is conclusive. You are free from HIV.
You can allay fears of HIV.
There is no need for further HIV tests.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (16 hours later)

Doctor thank you for your time and answer.

I went to a clinic and had all my tests administered by a nurse practitioner . All the antibody tests were a finger prick with results in 15 minutes. The nurse stated that this tests are FDA approved and just as accurate as if I sent a sample into the lab. Are the rapid finger prick antibody tests just as accurate as the lab or should I have another sample taken and sent to lab?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need for further HIV tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

I do not see the need for any further HIV tests.
The tests are Conclusive. Even rapid antibodies tests are reliable.
With the given description and test results, you are free from HIV.
You can allay fears of HIV.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (46 hours later)

Thank you again for your time and answer.

Just two more questions and I will close this discussion.

Some sites say open mouth kissing has no risk others say a minimal risk. You already said my HIV transmission risk was NIL from French kissing. Doctor I only kissed this girl for two to three seconds when I realized what I was doing. I am confused. Can you enlighten me on this matter?

Why do some sites on the internet say to wait up to 6 months to get tested and others state as well as yourself that 3 months is conclusive?

Thanks again for your time!

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Conclusive post 3 months exposure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

The chances of transmission of HIV by kissing is nil. If there is bleeding wounds in both,then there is minor possibility.

If a person is exposed to HIV, antibodies to HIV are formed by 2-6 weeks , maximum by 3 months. So the tests are considered conclusive 3 months post exposure. In extremely rare cases like severe immunosuppressive diseases, there is possibility of delayed antibodies formation(6 months). These diseases would have been diagnosed earlier itself.
So there is nothing to worry about this period.
Moreover there is no risk exposure in your scenario.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar