Expert: Terry B - 3/23/2009

Question
PLS HELP ME! Right now I am very frightened about my probable condition. I'm afraid that I might get HIV/AIDS!
Here is what happened, i performed oral sex to a stranger. And when he released sperm inside my mouth there was blood in it(hematospermia). It was a good thing that i spat it out or else I wouldn't have seen the red liquid that i received from him. I asked him if he had AIDS/HIV, and he said he had none (not sure if he's lying). Eversince that event, i have been paranoid into whether i have an infection or not. Do i have a high risk of getting HIV/AIDS from receiving blood(in sperm) during oral sex?

THINGS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU ANSWER:
-> i have 2 sores in my gum near the end of my molars.(one of the sores is surely closed during the oral sex, while i am still unsure if the other is open or not during the sexual activity.)
-> i seldom engange in any sexual activity(all of them are oral and none-anal)

Answer
Dear Danny:

Peace.  According to recent research, and consistent with what we've been teaching for 20 years, you are at some risk for HIV transmission but not the highest.  There's really no way to know if you are infected without going for voluntary counseling and testing, and an in-person counselor can not only answer your questions about the testing available, but also give you some help in reducing your risk further.  If it's been six weeks from the potential exposure, an antibody test should be credible but not certain.   I recommend you go to www.avert.org for information in most languages and good explanations, and to www.unaids.org for links to testing sites that might be near you worldwide.

Short answer, you are at some risk but moderate - it is worth being tested, counseled, and learning how better to protect yourself and your partners.

Best to you and yours,

Terry