What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Oral Sex?

Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015

Question: hello

A few days ago I preformed fellatio on another male.his hiv status is unkown. It lasted no longer than 1 minute. He did not ejaculate but there may or may not of been some pre-ejaculate. He also preformed oral sex on me until I ejaculated.

The only other thing worth mentioning is I sometimes suffer from dry mouth and sensitive/bleeding gums (nothing too severe though) but I do have it. I wouldn't say my oral health is anyway overly poor though.

Theres has been no other risks taken

What are my chances of acquiring hiv? should I be worried?

Answered by Dr. Arun (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No possibility of HIV...

Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
I understand your concern.
I am Dr. Arun Tank, infectious disease specialist, answering your concern.

Oral sex has no possibility of HIV infection. So you can allay fear of HIV in you.

The reason oral sex is safe is as follows.

1. Oral opening is large in size than vaginal or anal opening. So the chance of injury to the oral cavity while doing sex is minimal.By this way HIV wont spread via oral route

2. Saliva contains tansferin enzyme which prevents the replication of the HIV virus in the saliva so you are safe in this way also.

Even though your oral hygiene is slightly poor you are safe from above point of view.

But if you are worrying much than, you can get your self tested for the peace of your mind. Remember after seven days the first test to give you a reliable test is HIV DNA PCR. You can go for this test for you mental satisfaction

I will be happy to answer your further concern you can contact me here or you can contact me on bit.ly/DrArun
We wish you a best health at healthcare magic.

Thank you,
Dr. Arun Tank

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Thank you for your quick reply doctor. I was under the same impression but i find the Internet if full of these conservative blanket type warnings when it comes to hiv transmission.

My only other questions would be pertaining to oral hygiene. For it to play a factor I'm assuming someone's mouth would have to be pretty bad, like a damaged mouth from
Methamphetamine use is what im picturing.

I had also consumed some alchohal any chance of that playing a factor?

Answered by Dr. Arun (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Alcohol has no role in HIV infection...

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking the query Hammen19877,

Very less chance of HIV infection if the oral hygiene was very very bad e.g. fresh bleeding from the oral mucosa. Such person should be investigated for HIV by laboratory tests.

Alcohol has no role in HIV transmission. You can allay fear.

You can ask further queries to me here.

Thank you..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Arun (12 minutes later)

So all in all my average sensitive/bleeding gums would play no part in me acquiring hiv through receptive oral?

Answered by Dr. Arun (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry in average infection...

Detailed Answer:
No, for average sensitive/bleeding gums would play no parts in HIV transmission in receptive oral sex.

You can allay the fear.

You can ask me further questions here or for future any health related queries you can contact me directly on bit.ly/DrArun.

If your query has been resolved you can close the answer rate me.

Thank you,
Dr Arun Tank
Infectious Disease Specialist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Arun (14 days later)

Hello again doctor. I know testing for this low risk exposure is a little unessesary but for peace of mind I decided to take a rapid anti body test. I tested at the 19 day mark. I realize that I am still inside the window period but I've read that approx 50% of ppl show antibodies at the 2-3 week mark.

Would it be unessesary for me to test again?

Answered by Dr. Arun (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Retesting is necessary after 3 months for antibody testing...

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXXXX,

Thank you for your query again.

Yes, 50 people can see the antibodies in 2-3 weeks but for confirmation purpose you should retest it after 3 months or you should select other confirmatory tests like PCR during this period.

You can ask me further queries here.

Thank you.
Dr Arun Tank.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Arun (4 hours later)

Hi doctor

Would you normally advise testing after this sort of exposure?

Answered by Dr. Arun (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to test, for mental satisfaction PCR should be done..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX,

No, We assure the patients that such exposure are not at all a risk factor. We also assure them that there is no need to get tested for such exposures.

But if they insist we can tell them to get the HIV DNA PCR done. This test is the Gold standard test and can be helpful for giving peace of mind to the patients.

You can ask me for further clarification.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Thanks doctor, is the DNA/PCR test a 4th generation test?

I've heard most individuals will show antibodies by the 25th day, is that true?

Also does vaginal/anal fingering pose any risk? Either for the giver or receiver?

Thank you, last questions

Answered by Dr. Arun (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it is nucleic acid amplification test

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,

Thank you for asking query.

No PCR is not the fourth generation test, it is nucleic acid amplification test. It is the most sensitive test for the HIV detection. It can detect even a single HIV DNA and multiply it. So it is the best test known for diagnosis.

Yes, antibody production can be started after 20 to 30 days. But its detectable values requires some more time. But to detect it effectively by the antibody based test it requires a three month period.

No, anal and vaginal fingering do not cause infection until you have any fresh injury in the finger or vagina and anus. So if you do not have any injury you are not at all on risk.

You can ask me further query here.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Would a minor cut or scrape on a finger make any difference?

If you could estimate, how's by percent of people would test positive for antibodies at 25 days?

All in all I guess I'm very low risk exposure?

Answered by Dr. Arun (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No chance of HIV to you...

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Thank you for asking query.

No, minor cut won't transfer the HIV, it's only the fresh bleeding cut can transfer HIV.

It's only 20 to 30 % people can develop antibodies after 25 days.

I consider you are not at all at risk.

You can leave the fear of HIV.

Thank you,
Dr Arun Tank.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Arun (3 hours later)

Thank you doctor, I just want to understand one more thing.

In your last answer you said only 25-30% develope detectable antibodies at 25 days.

I've searched many reputable hiv sites and they almost all state that on average people develop detectable antibodies at 25 days. (3 months is then conclusive)

You also told me a few questions back that around 50% of people develope antibodies at 2-3 weeks.

I'm just a little confused

Answered by Dr. Arun (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some can develop antibodies, but do not rely on single test...

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,

Thank you for asking query.

In human body we cannot apply simple mathematics.

Some people develops complete antibodies in 25 days while majority wont develops at 25 day.

So in better options please dont rely on the 25th day for antibody production. Instead you can go for other test which can detect the HIV at earliest.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Arun (5 hours later)

Okay thank you, I realize a negative test at 25 days is not conclusive. But it must be a good sign I'm assuming?

Answered by Dr. Arun (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It's good sign...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,

Thank you for query.

Yes, you are right that it is good sign of negative test at 25 days but you should either confirm it with other tests or your should test it after 3 months.

You can ask further queries here.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Arun (7 hours later)

For my own mental satisfaction, Taking into account my low risk exposure and the fact I tested negative at 25 days. What would my odds roughly be (%) of acquiring anything by my next testing date?
Also if someone were to present ARS symtoms would there body also begin to show antibodies, either during the symtoms or shortly after?
Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Arun (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mathematics cant be apply in infections....

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX XXXXXX ,

Please find answer for your queries in point wise manner below.

1. We cannot do mathematics in health science so we cant count the Odds for your testing result. But you can do your antibody test after 3 months for confirm result.

2. ARS OR Acute Retroviral Syndrome or primary HIV infection occurs during very early period of infection. During this period viruses multiply in the absence of the antibodies. Antibodies gradually start developing after this period.

You can ask for futher clarification.
Thank you,
Dr Arun Tank

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D