HIV Transmission Risks: Your Concerns Addressed

Questions about HIV/AIDS

Hello Doctor, about a month ago, I had unprotected oral sex with someone (I don't know if the other person has an STD).
During the process, I licked her nipples, and I have a sore in my mouth.
Is there a possibility of contracting HIV? Then she performed oral sex on me for about a minute (without ejaculation in her mouth).
During the process, I used my hands to stimulate her genitals and touched my own genitals, which led to ejaculation.
Could this transmit HIV?
A week after this incident, I developed flu-like symptoms, but they also resemble early symptoms of HIV.
I also have a rash that looks like small pimples (which can be squeezed to release white fluid), but it's not extensive.
I have been coughing with white phlegm and experiencing diarrhea, but not every day (I have a history of gastrointestinal issues).
I consulted a doctor who prescribed medication for the flu, and after taking it, my condition improved, leaving me with just a cough and white phlegm.

Additionally, the back of my tongue has small red bumps that are not itchy or painful.
Two weeks after the incident, I had a blood test, and everything came back normal (but the doctor mentioned the possibility of a window period and advised me to retest in three months).
Initially, I had a severe cough and developed a high fever that lasted about two days.
During this time, I felt very anxious, depressed, and panicked, not knowing what to do.
I've been coughing for three weeks now, but currently, I only cough a few times a day, and when I do, it's forceful because I feel phlegm that I can spit out, which is somewhat white and then turns clear.
Doctor, what is the likelihood of HIV transmission in this situation? I'm really scared and anxious.
Thank you for your help.

Tiāntiān, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2018/07/22

Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine

Hello! The primary transmission route for HIV is through "contact with blood or bodily fluids," with the secretions from sexual organs being the most infectious.
Therefore, if your hands come into contact with the secretions of your partner's sexual organs and then touch your own, there is indeed a higher risk of transmitting HIV.
Although oral sex carries a slightly lower risk, there is still a certain risk of HIV transmission if there are sores in the mouth (of course, this risk is predicated on the partner being HIV positive).
In summary, if you are uncertain about your partner's health status, it is advisable to get tested for HIV again three months after the encounter to completely rule out infection.

On the other hand, the initial symptoms of HIV can be difficult to distinguish from a severe cold, but developing symptoms within a week is rather quick, so you shouldn't worry too much.
Your symptoms sound more like a typical flu or common cold.
I recommend that you schedule a visit to the hospital to confirm that you have not contracted HIV, and also to allow the physician to assess the possibility of other sexually transmitted infections (there are many diseases that share the same transmission routes as HIV!).
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid unprotected sexual contact with individuals whose backgrounds you are not familiar with to truly protect yourself!
Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr.
Lin Wu-Fu

Reply Date: 2018/07/22

More Info

Understanding HIV transmission risks is crucial for anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. Based on your description, you engaged in several activities that could potentially pose a risk for HIV transmission. Let's break down the scenarios and address your concerns.

1. Oral Sex and HIV Risk: Engaging in unprotected oral sex (fellatio) can carry a risk of HIV transmission, especially if there are open sores or bleeding gums in the mouth of the person performing oral sex. In your case, you mentioned having a sore in your mouth, which could increase the risk if the other person is HIV positive. However, the risk of transmission through oral sex is generally considered to be lower than through vaginal or anal intercourse.

2. Licking Nipples: Licking someone’s nipples is not typically associated with a risk of HIV transmission. The primary concern would be if there were any blood or bodily fluids exchanged that could contain the virus.

3. Manual Stimulation and Ejaculation: If you touched your own genitals after stimulating her and there was no direct exchange of bodily fluids (like semen or vaginal secretions) into an open wound, the risk of HIV transmission remains low. However, if you had any cuts or sores on your hands, that could potentially increase the risk.

4. Symptoms Following Exposure: The symptoms you described, such as flu-like symptoms, cough, and skin rashes, can indeed be associated with acute HIV infection, but they are also common to many other viral infections, including the flu. The presence of white phlegm and gastrointestinal symptoms could indicate a different viral infection rather than HIV. It’s important to note that many people experience anxiety and stress after potential exposure, which can exacerbate physical symptoms.

5. Testing and Window Period: You mentioned that you had a blood test two weeks after the exposure, which returned negative. It’s important to understand that HIV tests can have a window period, meaning that they may not detect the virus immediately after exposure. Most tests are reliable after three months, so it’s advisable to follow up with another test at that time for conclusive results.

6. Mental Health Considerations: It’s understandable to feel anxious and fearful after a potential exposure to HIV. This anxiety can lead to physical symptoms and can affect your overall well-being. It’s important to address these feelings, possibly by speaking with a healthcare professional or a mental health counselor who can provide support.

7. Recommendations: Given your situation, I recommend the following:
- Follow-Up Testing: Schedule a follow-up HIV test at three months post-exposure for accurate results.

- Consult a Healthcare Provider: If your symptoms persist or worsen, consult with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

- Mental Health Support: Consider seeking support for anxiety and stress management, as these feelings are common after potential exposures.

In summary, while there is some risk associated with the activities you described, the overall risk of HIV transmission in your case appears to be low, especially given the negative test result at two weeks. However, it’s essential to follow up with additional testing and to take care of your mental health during this time.

Similar Q&A

Assessing HIV Infection Risk: A Concern After Brief Contact

I know I might be overly anxious, but I still want to consult a doctor. Getting an answer from a medical professional might help ease my mind. Two days ago, an older woman asked me how to rent a Ubike, and during that time, I took her phone to assist her. While operating the phon...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine
A. According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Category/Page/lehLY2EFku4q7Gqv4bql2w), there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids...

Understanding HIV Transmission Risks in Shared Medical Settings

Hello doctor, I would like to ask you about my uncle who has HIV. We work in the same restaurant, and he often gets cuts and uses the first aid kit at work. I just cut myself and used the same medication as him. Am I at risk of contracting HIV from him? I am not sure if he is und...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine
A. According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Category/Page/lehLY2EFku4q7Gqv4bql2w, there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, or any exchange of bodily fluids wi...

Concerns About HIV Exposure After Witnessing an Injury: What to Do?

Hello Doctor: Today, I saw a person on the street with a head wrapped in bandages and blood seeping through. There were two police officers nearby helping him with the bandaging. I didn't want to walk directly past them, so I slightly detoured around. Then I noticed a towel ...

Dr. Ding Shuyan reply Psychiatry
Hello, the routes of HIV transmission and associated risks have been well researched. Firstly, the individual you witnessed must be a positive carrier of the HIV virus, and the viral load in their blood must reach a level that is infectious. Secondly, you must have come into cont...

Understanding HIV Transmission: Safe Practices and Key Concerns

Hello, doctor. I have two questions to ask you. 1. I had safe sex with a woman, using a condom throughout, but I'm still worried about HIV. Is there a chance I could contract it? 2. I researched the transmission routes of HIV, and it states that engaging in unprotected s...

Dr. Du Shixi reply Urology
Hello: 1. I had safe sexual intercourse with a woman, using a condom throughout, but I am still worried about HIV. Is there a chance I could get it? --> You may refer to the following risk levels: low-risk activities include masturbation, mutual masturbation, light kissing, an...