Expert: Terry B - 9/20/2006

Question
I am not at all worried about catching HIV from kissing now. Bassically because the person I french kissed with a mouth ulcer at the back of my mouth, in the club, looked like a druggy, I immediately assumed she had HIV. However I then thought to myself, in a club, how is she going to make her mouth bleed, especially when she has been drinking alchohol which heals wounds.

I have opted to not bother with having a SDT test. Do you agree?

cheers kyle.

Answer
Dear Kyle:

Cheers to you also.  I am glad at your relief about HIV and hesitate to burst your bubble of gladness; HIV is not the only infection 'out there'.  I will resist, for the most part, mentioning that open-mouthed kissing, done well, should involve some friction and suction....

Instead, I will point out to you that "sucking spit" (as open-mouthed or 'French' kissing is sometimes called) with strangers who appear ill ("looked like a druggy") cannot be recommended as a safe public health practice.  Persons who use recreational drugs, injection drug users, and those who engage in deep kissing (and more) with those they have just met may be at risk of Hepatitis and other serious and life-threatening infections.  

As I've mentioned before, knowing your health status (STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease) is one step in managing your health and preparing for responsible relationships with others.  So, as to my agreeing, no, I don't - not because of your relatively small risk of having contracted HIV in this encounter but because I am an advocate for being informed and active in your own health behavior.

Life and love relationships bring their own challenges and opportunities; knowing your gifts and liabilities can help you in both self-knowledge and your capacity to share yourself with another.  I wish you the best in this journey.

Sincerly,

Terry