Should I get tested for HIV? Thank you.

[JJL3304]

Dear MedHelp experts,

I am a man and had a sexual encounter with another man after a date. We went to his place and did a bit of kissing and we performed oral sex without condoms on each other, no cum in my mouth, only a small amount of his precum. On the night before the date, as I was using dental floss, I had bleeding gum. I really need your help to confirm that if I was exposed to any potential risks of HIV. Should I get tested in 6 weeks? My biggest concern is that since I had bleeding gum the night before the oral sex, does this increase the risk of me getting HIV? I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

[CurfewX]

You were not at risk for HIV from this encounter. The only risks for HIV in adults are:
1) Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, or
2) sharing intravenous needles.

Saliva has properties that inhibit the virus.  Additionally, HIV must enter the blood stream, and cannot enter through minor cuts and scrapes, including  lesions on your gums from flossing the night before.

[JJL3304]

Thank you very much for your response. Even with the presence of lesions in my mouth, there is still no risk of getting HIV after I performed oral sex on another man, is my understanding correct? Should I get tested to be absolutely certain about my status? Thank you very much.

[CurfewX]

I already addressed the lesions. You had no risk for HIV.

[JJL3304]

Thank you very much!!

[JJL3304]

Hi, sorry I forgot to mention that I also had 2 really small cuts while shaving my pubic area the night before the oral sex happened. Does that still mean that I had no risk for HIV, am I correct? Thank you very much for your time.

[CurfewX]

There is no information you could add to this event that would make it a risk for HIV.  Please re-read the only two risks for HIV, which I posted above.

[JJL3304]

Thank you. I will move on now! Stay safe and have a great day!