What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Oral Sex?

Posted on Tue, 11 Aug 2015

Question: Hello , i had protected intercoure on 17 May 2015 with fsw, but i perfomred cunnilings with out protection, , condom was intacted after intercourse .
i went through (HIV DUO) HIV 1, 2 & p24 ANTIGEN (ELISA) after 45 days and it came no reactive , is this conclusive ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV 1 infection.HIV DUO 4th generation and reliable test

Detailed Answer:
HI,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You had protected vaginal intercourse. So the risk for HIV/STD is negligible.
Cunnilingus carries a low risk for HIV/STD.
Since two months you were free from any oral symptoms, so STD is unlikely.
Regarding HIV, the test HIV DUO has two parts. One is detecting the HIV 1 P24 antigen and another portion detects the antibodies against HIV 1 and 2. Antibodies against HIV can occur only after 6-8 weeks and it may get delayed up to 12 weeks. So you are still in the window period. Your nonreactive HIV DUO test ascertains that you are free from HIV 1 infection. HIV 1 infection is common up to the extent of 99.5% throughout the world other than certain pockets of XXXXXXX HIV 2 is less common and its prevalence is less than 0.5%. So you need not worry. If you want to rule out HIV 2 also then repeat the HIV rapid or ELISA or DUO TEST after 3 months.
Dr S.Murugan

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

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (12 hours later)

thanks doctor.does that mean that HIV Duo was conclusive for hiv 1? do u mean I am free from HIV 1 and now need to test for hiv 2 as hiv duo do not check for hiv 2? I have read that Window period is 3 months, but in UK and singapore hiv duo is conclusive after 28 days.i will get tested by three months to XXXXXXX my fears..why do we have 3 months period when fourth gen test have reduced the window?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
HIV DUO is conclusive and highly reliable. You are HIV 1 free.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV DUO is a 4th generation HIV test and is highly reliable up to 99%. So a nonreactive HIV DUO by 45 days is very much conclusive and you are free from HIV 1 infection. There is no doubt about the same.
As this test not ruled out HIV 2 infection which has a least possibility, it is usual to go for the test by 3 months to rule out both HIV 1 and 2 totally. Though your risk is very low and the possibility of HIV 2 is very very remote, it is better to repeat the test after 12 weeks to rule out HIV 2 also and so that you can relax once for all. Otherwise you would likely to have some mental tension and even an ordinary head ache would annoy you.
Dr S.Murugan

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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