HomeAnswersSexologyhivI had protected oral sex but fear HIV infection from the women's saliva. Please help.

Can I get HIV infection from the women's saliva if it contacted my sores in the penis?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At August 4, 2022
Reviewed AtDecember 12, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I want a solution for my anxiety. I had a protected blowjob, but the lady placed the condom with her mouth while my penis had a small sore. The skin is slightly burned and exposed with no blood going out. I am worried about HIV or STD exposure because saliva before placing the condom might touch the penis head or the injured skin.

I can become calm as the protected oral has no risk of HIV. However, my mind is shifting to another scenario where I have used her bathroom, and maybe there is semen left out from the other men. I was accidentally exposed to it from the towel or the toilet room.

Can you please guide me on what I should do if I get tested? I cannot do anything with these thoughts, as they occupy my mind 24/7. Please help me. Also, after the exposure within two days, I tested positive for COVID-19, and I recovered after a week while I read that HIV and COVID-19 share the same symptoms. So should I have an HIV test, or what should I do? I also have a persistent sore throat.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. You stated that you had a history of blow jobs with a lady wearing a condom. But during the time of a blow job, saliva may enter the head of the penis. Usually, blowjob or oral sex is not likely to transmit HIV. HIV cannot ever be transmitted through saliva. So do not be worried at all.

The towel is an innate substance where HIV cannot live. After semen comes from the penis and is exposed to air, it may begin to dry up. As drying happens, HIV becomes damaged and inactive. They are no longer infectious. So, by using the bathroom or towels of others, someone will never be affected by HIV infection.

So, you do not need any investigations to confirm HIV infection.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

What about the sore throat? Is that a long-term complication of COVID-19? When I searched on the internet, it shows sore throat is one of the HIV symptoms. That is why I got worried. Is it not a matter if the skin has an ulcer. This will not make a difference if saliva touches it.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

HIV is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid, etc., but not saliva. HIV is not spread through saliva, sweat, or tears. According to the CDC, it will not spread by hugging, sharing a bathroom, and sharing towels. There are many evidence-based studies and clinical studies. So, if someone has a skin ulcer and comes in touch with an AIDS patient's saliva, no transmission of HIV infection will occur.

A sore throat can result from viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. Both COVID-19 and HIV infection are of viral origin, and viral infection might have similarities in expressing clinical features. For that reason, sore throat can be noticed in both HIV as well as COVID-19 infections.

A sore throat is a potential clinical feature of COVID 19. Other clinical features are fever, cough, diarrhea, body ache, headache, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, changes in the sense of smell or taste, and many more.

I suggest,

  • Gargling with lukewarm salt water 2 to 3 times daily.
  • Acetaminophen or Paracetamol for relieving soreness in the throat.
  • Antihistamines like Fexofenadine, loratadine, or Cetirizine may help to subside the sore throat.

Take care. I hope that I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam
Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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