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Is HIV Transmission Possible Through Kissing?

Posted on Fri, 18 Jul 2014

Question: I was consulting Doctor XXXXXXX and last advice was-

HIV is not normally transmitted through saliva. Transmission of HIV virus from one individual to other individual is possible when saliva is mixed with blood. If there is a minor breach in her pimple, you have kissed her with the broken lips she can transmit HIV to you, if she is HIV positive.
If her pimple is opened the chance of getting HIV infection will be more, but once again it depends upon the amount of viral load in the HIV infected individual.
I would suggest you to undergo HIV testing, only if she have any abrasions on the pimple which was kissed by you. It helps to confirm the HIV status and remove the anxiety associated with HIV.

after this advice I got tested for Hiv1/2 Ag/Ab (by CMIA) & Syphilis T. pallidum Antibody tests at 66 and 95 days exposure. The results of both tests were negative.

please confirm if these tests are conclusive , do they test antibody and is there need to test further

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Test are conclusive. Free from HIV/STD

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM
Thanks for posting your query.

HIV transmission through kissing is negligible as per CDC XXXXXXX That too, by kissing the cheeks, the chance of HIV is remote. Vaginal penetration is considered to be a high risk activity.Even there, the chances of getting HIV is around 5 per 10,000 exposures, whereas kissing has negligible risk means you can imagine that how remote this possibility was. My statement is based on CDC, XXXXXXX information.

Regarding your test,
You are absolutely free from HIV and nothing to worry at all. HIV 1&2 Ag/Ab (CMAI) almost 100% reliable as both Antigen part and Antibody part of these test are very much reliable and conclusive after 90 days. Test for Syphilis also more confirmatory after 60 days.
No further tests are necessary.
Forget about this incident,relax and concentrate on your daily routine.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (39 minutes later)

Hi Doctor

Thanks for reply, there was some error in my previous post

The actual statement is-
I am quite depressed and could not sleep or eat over week end. I have been to night bars in Hong Kong on Feb 8. Following things happened-
1.The strippers there performed lap dance on me
2.During lap dance they sucked my nipple for 1-2 minutes. There are small pimples around my nipples. I am not sure if while sucking my pimples were touched and came in contact with their mouth. To best of my knowledge I did not notice any blood on nipples, but pimples were slightly reddish. If those women had blood in mouth or bleeding gums, can that blood get on pimples and cause infection.I am quite scared and would like to know if I will be infected with HIV.Also please let me know what is risk if one of the pimples is open(popped off) and came in contact with their mouth

I was suggested to undergo test at 90 days by Doctor XXXXXXX

After this advice I got tested for Hiv1/2 Ag/Ab (by CMIA) & Syphilis T. pallidum Antibody tests at 66 and 95 days exposure. The results of both tests were negative. May I request for your opinion now

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Still risk is remote and you are HIV free

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mnd,
Welcome back.
Once again there is nothing to worry.
There is no meaning for you to be quite upset and remain depressed and sleepless.

1. There is no such report of HIV transmission through such a kiss over nipple of a man by a woman. As I had told you previously, still your risk for HIV remains remote and negligible.
2. Your test remains negative for HIV with a COMBO/DUO CMIA after 90 days of your activity. It is a very much conclusive test.
So there is no possibility of HIV for you
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 minutes later)

Thank you doctor

Any worries wrt STD as I did that test as well.

I will try to move on with your reply

Thanks

Mnd

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No possibility of STD

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.

STD also would not spread in this way.
Your test for Syphilis is also most conclusive and not to worry about both HIV/STD.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

Dear Doctor

Thanks for expert comments. Probably final question-Is this test at 95 days enough or I need to repeat same at 6 month, because some sites/experts still advice for 6 month tests and CDC also says that about 97 % people will be conclusive by 3 months, thus 3 % may take longer than 3 months.

Appreciate your help

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not delayed beyond 90 days in normal persons.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.

As long as you are not on any steroids, Immuno-suppressive drugs, anti cancer drugs or not having very rare congenital immune deficiency problems, antibody production against HIV would not be delayed beyond 90 days. I had yet to come across such a case in my 25 years of HIV practice.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (48 minutes later)

Dear Doctor

This is encouraging reply really . I am not on steroids or any drug.Regarding rare congenital immune deficiency problems, I have never came across during during health checks so far , however would like to know some example of such problems.

Thanks again

Hi Doctor

One more question though may be stupid, I was surfing on internet and found out that rheumatoid arthritis is treated with Immuno-suppressive drugs. My wife is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and may be on these drugs, but I am away from home for last 1 year and as such no physical/sexual contact , however will like to know if these drugs can have such impact on me through sexual contact that happened a year before. I may be paranoid but wanted to take your opinion

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Drug taken by wife had noinfluence on husband test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

If you had any Congenital immune disorders, by this time it would be recognized, as an ordinary throat infection or cold or typhoid would pose a great difficulty in treating and you would be susceptible to many inter-current and opportunistic infection and the physician would have diagnosed with investigations.

Drugs taken for Rheumatoid Arthritis can delay the HIV antibody formation and the test results, if you are on these drugs, not your wife. Drugs inside our body cannot remain longer than few hours to few days as our kidney and liver would expel the same out of our body. Crossing from your wife's body through sex an year back and can cause a delay in rapid test result is an absurd thing and not at all possible. Don't imagine odd things.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (41 hours later)

Dear Doctor,

Thank you for reply and support. I am relieved with these comemnts

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mnd,

No more worries here afterwards in this regard. Be happy and concentrate on your daily routine. Everything will go fine.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

Dear Doctor

Thanks for your kind words. Please note that test I conducted was no rapid test as mentioned in your reply. The blood was drawn from arm and result was obtained after 2 days.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your test is conclusive and HIV 1&2 free.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Almost all HIV tests including Antigen and antibody test immaterial whether it is PCR, P24. ELISA, Western Blot or Rapid test will be conclusive by 90 days. Most of tests marketed for HIV are are very much sensitive and specific.So you need not worry about the nature of test. Your test done after 90 days negative means that your HIV1&2 Free. It is very much conclusive and confirmatory. No more worries. Have a great day.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

Dear Doctor

Thanks, The test Hiv1/2 Ag/Ab (by CMIA) I conducted , is it also called DUO or COMBO test and is it 4th generation test

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
SO confirmatory that you are HIV free.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,

CMIA is latest improved technology in HIV detection. That too, what you had, was the COMBO/DUO test with both antigen and antibody test. It is almost 100% reliable from 4 weeks after the exposure on wards. You had this test after 60 days. It is quite reliable and there is nothing to worry and it is confirmed that you are HIV free.
Dr S XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

Dear Doctor

Thanks, It seems I am living with ODC and continuous anxiety even after getting confirmations from experts. Will doing test at 6 months help.

I am trying to forget and move on but it keeps on coming

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consult your psychiatrist for further help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

In this condition your psychiatrist will help you for further relief.
Wish you all the best.
DR S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (47 hours later)

Dear Doctor

Thank you for your patience and support. I am planning to see doctor as you suggested and hope it will help me. Final set of question before I take up with psychiatrist.

Does the Hiv1/2 Ag/Ab (by CMIA) test (Combo/DUO) detect all strains/subtypes of HIV or are there rare strains that will not be picked up. Because I understand this test does not pick up N and P subtypes. Expert opinion will really help.

Thanks a lot ...

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
All majortypes and common types have been detected

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab (CMIA) practically detects almost all major types of HIV 1. An extremely rarer types like HIV2 O types might not be detected. But they are not prevalent outside certain pockets of XXXXXXX You need not bother about very rarer things.

DR S XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (44 minutes later)

Thanks Doctor, does this also mean that N and P will be detected by HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab (CMIA)

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A Virologist or a LAB Expert able to answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
To my knowledge goes, HIV CMIA can detect these strains also. But I am not very much sure as I had not come across any such situation so far in my 25 years of HIV practice.
A virologist or a laboratory expert will be the correct person to answer your question.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Dear Doctor thanks

Given me exposure, I think as you mentioned I should not be worrying about these subtypes and rare strains. Thanks again for your help.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are most welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Forget about everything in the past. Enjoy your days ahead. You are Totally HIV free.
DR S.Murugan

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