Expert: Gorkey Gourab - 12/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Gorkey,

I had unprotected oral sex of about 4 seconds with a pros and protected sex with the same female. Now i am scared of HIV, I know that the chance of getting it from the above scenario is less but i am fully worried about it all the time of the day and night and scared of the situation if my test gives me HIV+ results, that is why i am unable to go for test . Could you suggest me some of the other blood tests with which we can identify whether i am infected or not. Please if you give me some other blood test names in which HIV direct test is not included will be very helpful for me. Please Please advise me

Thanks in Advance
Ajit

ANSWER: Dear Ajit,

Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse (AVERT, 2009). Rather than being scared, please go for a test to know the results for sure.

You can go for antibody tests like "ELISA", which are extremely accurate when it comes to detecting the presence of HIV antibodies. While there is a very little chance of getting 'false positive' results (meaning, although a person may not be infected with HIV, their antibody test may come back positive), you have to go for a confirmatory test like a "Western blot assay" or a "second ELISA" to get conclusive results.

Sincere regards,
Gorkey

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Goreky for the answer,

But is it possible to get hiv for a such a short exposure that to oral,Even after the oral i checked my genital no blood stains were there. Is it possible to have it without her mouth bleeding

Thanks

Ajit

ANSWER: Dear Ajit,

Yes, it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex with short exposure. However, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman. When having oral sex, a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen/vaginal fluid came into contact with damaged and receding gums, or any cuts or sores they might have in their mouth (bleeding is not mandatory). However, the likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with HIV as a result of receiving oral sex is extremely low, as saliva does not contain infectious quantities of HIV (according to CDC and AVERT).

Regards,
Gorkey

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Gorkey,

I was at the receiving end, i d't have any cuts or sores on penis. Is it still necessary to go for HIV test for me and what about the other STI's. Kindly suggest that for STI's which doctor i need to visit

Thanks a lot for the help

Ajit

Answer
Dear Ajit,

It's very difficult for me to tell you which doctor you can visit in India, since I don't know your location (and you did the right thing since you didn't mention your locality to maintain confidentiality).

The following links provide databases containing list of all the clinics/doctors. You can also customize searching and choose the one that is convenient for you:

http://www.indmedica.com/directory.php?directory=stdclinics
http://www.sharedhope.org/what/hivclinics.asp
http://www.medindia.net/patients/hospital_search/hospital_list.asp
http://www.medindia.net/patients/doctor_search/dr_result.asp?specialist=Sexology
http://www.medindia.net/patients/doctor_search/dr_result.asp

Take care of yourself.

Regards,
Gorkey