HIV from Oral Sex

[AnxietyIssues]

Hi Doctors,

5 weeks ago I saw a CSW in China (I live in China). We gave each other oral sex and that was the only activity. One week after the encounter I had a sore that appeared on my lip. It was small, less than 0.5 cm and then went away after one week. In my anxiety, I had assumed that I had syphillis, but it seems to quick to appear and to quick heal and was too small.

This created a lot of anxiety for me and posted on the free forum and got a response from Teak that I had no worries.I was concerned that if it was syphillis that it would increase the transimission risk to me for HIV.
Still, today, at five weeks past expsoure I took a oral, at home, HIV test. I took an aware HIV 1/2 OMT test. Since I am in China I can not go get tested at a public clinic or even a western hospital as all tests are submitted to the government and it can affect my residence permit.

I took the test and read it after 20 minutes as the instructions said. I left it in the fluid for another 10 minutes just to make sure. It read negetive (only a control line had appeared). I took the strip out and put it aside and looked at it after an hour and a half had elapsed. When I look at it, I saw a line on the positive side. It was much fainter than the control line, but I can see the line. I am 100% certain is was not there when I read it at 20 and 30 minutes.

I have now order another of these tests, but I won't get it until late next week and the anxiety is now driving me crazy. I have not done anything but giving a woman oral sex and receiving a blow job. She did not seem to have any sores or other obvious illness.

Thanks for your help. I am now very worried.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad I could help.  Take care.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. I agree with what Teak has told you.  There are no cases in which persons have been proven to acquire HIV through either receiving oral sex (fellatio) or performing oral sex on a woman.  You should not be worried.  Further, if you are going to use the home tests, follow the instructions.  The reason that there are specified times for these tests is because after the specified times, because of the way the test is made, color changes and lines may appear.  That your test developed a faint line after the recommended time passed means nothing and should be ignored.

I noted in your earlier interaction with Teak that you saw your doctor about the sore on your lip.  What was it?  Did you have a syphilis tests?  EWH

[AnxietyIssues]

After a long and difficult weekend (I am very glad my Doctor gave my lorazepam for my anxiety), I got my test results back this morning and they were negative on a 4th generation test at five weeks. She told me you are negative and you have practiced much safer sex and not to worry about HIV in these situations.

I read your response to my question over and over again as well as many others who have anxiety over what you define as a no or very,very low risk. It is a good service and I appreciate your responses, bot in the professional an expert forums.

Thanks again!

[AnxietyIssues]

Thank you Dr. Hook. I appreciate your very quick response.

Basically, I should just relax and not be worried about this incident. I will post my test results when I get them next week.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I agree with your doctor but, primairly because of your concerns, would have considered doing a syphilis test too.  Like your doctor however, I have almost no concern about syphilis or HIV - just being thorough and wanting to address your anxiety.  EWH

[AnxietyIssues]

Forgot to include in my comment:

If it is another STD on my lip that I received during oral, would that have an affect on HIV risk potential?

[AnxietyIssues]

Thank you Dr. Hook

I made an appointment to go see the doctor, but the sore healed the day before I was going to go so I cancelled the appointment. The sore appeared with seven days and healed with seven more.

I did go to the doctor this afternoon. I explained the situation to her and she not think it was syphilis and most likely was a simple cold sore. She did ordered a HIV test, but told me that she would eat her shoe if the test was positive. She seemed much more concerned about the level of blood pressure than my possible exposure to HIV. She gave me some lorazepam to help through the weekend since the results won't be back until Monday or Tuesday.

Should I go and get syphilis tests? I did notice any sores and the sore came and went very fast.

Again thank you for your feedback. I have far too much anxiety over something I should not have it over.

[AnxietyIssues]

I forgot to mention that I have also used this test before and have never see a line on the positive secion.