Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Infection risk

Is it a risk and how much for HIV if you french kissed with someone (unsure about status) and assume that you both had some cuts in the mouth (like from brushing teeth before, etc)? Is PEP recommended in this case as in unprotected sex?
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
20620809 tn?1504362969
If you have read any questions on this forum, you have seen what the risks are.  The ONLY risks for HIV are unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or sharing IV drug needles.  No, kissing is not a risk in any way.  Saliva and air inactivate the virus. This includes if people have cuts in their mouth).  Pep is not recommended.  Pep is not usually given for unprotected sex either as HIV is very hard to actually transmit. The time when PEP is given is when you have unprotected sex from a person KNOWN to have HIV.  There is less than a one percent chance of transmission from a single unprotected se exposure.  From kissing?  zero percent risk.
Helpful - 0
6 Comments
Sorry, I am feeling really anxious, and found many contradictory answers and I am not sure how to act because it is something that happened recently. But I will try to not think about this. Thank you for your answer anyways!
That's how anxiety works.  It doesn't listen to facts but keeps you stuck.  My answer will not change nor will anyone else's on the forum.  This forum is moderated so that means expert doctors in the field of HIV guide the answers given and anything inaccurate is removed.  
I was meaning about contradictory answers on internet (maybe that's not the correct word used, but I never found a clear answer or maybe that's just the anxiety), as was mentioned in some another question, on this forum I agree that all responses to this are the same.
That's because if someone gives false information regarding HIV that falls outside of what the doctors who guide the stance of this forum say, it's removed. They will not allow wrong information here.
Thank you. It was confusing because also on some pages I have read that pep can be also considered* when there have been cuts in mouth and there have been blood or semen in contact. I don't know if the same thing applies for oral sex and cuts in mouth, because it is mentioned together.
We rely on the opinion of expert doctors and don't pay attention to what people find on the internet or will be arguing all day. The first step to peace is to stop googling cold turkey because you will always find someone who gives you a theoretical risk that has never even happened to create an infection in 40 years of hiv history.

You have any idea how many people have had mouth sores over that time, yet none got hiv infections? If so you should be able to move on and stop googling for death.
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.