Aa
Oral exposure in past
I live in Canada and over the course of a few years I have seen a number of escorts who I contacted on Backpage (probably between 10 and 20) stupid I know. I frequently performed oral sex on them but only ever had protected vaginal sex. My last exposure was in March. I also always brushed/flossed my teeth before meetings so I am worried that I had cuts in my mouth.Recently I have been getting headaches, sore armpits (although I can’t feel any swollen lymph nodes). I asked my gp about my headaches and he wasn’t concerned but when I looked up symptoms they seem to align with later stage HIV. I went and got tested on Tuesday and they said my results should be back by next Tuesday, but I am pretty anxious. Since my test I have noticed what seems to be oral thrush all over my tongue. Another symptom of late stage HIV and one of the first signs of AIDS.
I have read online that oral sex is has a not zero risk chance of exposure. I guess I am worried that with the number of escorts that I performed oral on (and not 30 second variety either) I have been exposed to HIV and am know turning into full blown AIDS. Is it possible I have been walking around infected for years due to my actions?
I have read online that oral sex is has a not zero risk chance of exposure. I guess I am worried that with the number of escorts that I performed oral on (and not 30 second variety either) I have been exposed to HIV and am know turning into full blown AIDS. Is it possible I have been walking around infected for years due to my actions?
As mike_no says, oral sex with or without cuts in your mouth will not result in getting HIV. You only have to worry if you have unprotected vaginal or anal sex with them or share IV drug needles.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You were never at a risk for HIV contraction. Oral sex is not a risk and condoms are sufficient to protect.
Your symptoms can't be relevant to HIV, you never had an 'exposure'. Please understand, HIV symptoms are varied and many general health issues can simply coincide with them.
The idea of diagnosing a disease from searching through internet site is a bad idea. Most people with anxiety issues do this, it won't be a bad idea to see a counselor to address this problem. As far as your ailments are concerned, please keep working with your General Practitioner, they are unspecific to HIV or AIDS.
Your symptoms can't be relevant to HIV, you never had an 'exposure'. Please understand, HIV symptoms are varied and many general health issues can simply coincide with them.
The idea of diagnosing a disease from searching through internet site is a bad idea. Most people with anxiety issues do this, it won't be a bad idea to see a counselor to address this problem. As far as your ailments are concerned, please keep working with your General Practitioner, they are unspecific to HIV or AIDS.
2 Comments
Thank for your advice. I just keep coming back to this idea that it is unlikely but not impossible to contract HIV through oral sex. I guess I am worried that I am the unlucky person who happened upon an unknown partner with a high viral load and I happened to have a cut in my mouth.
Your idea is irrational, saliva has proteins that inhibits the virus when in contact with infected fluid.
You should be more worried about death from being struck by lightning than contracting HIV from your event(s).
Please evaluate your options to see a counselor. You were never at risk and don't need to test.
You should be more worried about death from being struck by lightning than contracting HIV from your event(s).
Please evaluate your options to see a counselor. You were never at risk and don't need to test.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
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.
