Can HIV Be Contracted Through French Kissing?

Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 Answered on

Tue, 1 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, this question is about HIV transmission. I realize this is more of a phobia than a medical issue, but I would greatly appreciate the reassurance. A few weeks ago I busted my lip in a game of basketball. Hardly any blood but it left a sore inside of my lip. Later that day while my lip was still swollen I "french" kissed with someone of unknown HIV status, who also has dental issues. What I have read online so far says for HIV to have any possibility of being transmitted this way both people would have to have large open sores in their mouths. With me having that cut on my lip and her having ongoing dental issues I haven't been able to get this out of the back of my head. I'm 99.9% this is just a guilt issue for me, but I think my phobia could be relieved with a better understanding of how much blood has to be present for HIV transmission to even be a possibility. Does this encounter sound like any kind of risk for HIV?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The HIV risk is negligible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Anal sex and vaginal sex are considered to have more risk for HIV transmission whereas oral sex has a low risk as per CDC, XXXXXXX All the other type of sexual activities including kissing carry a negligible risk only for HIV transmission.
There is theoretical possibility of HIV transmission with a deep kissing in the presence of an injury over lip and when there was an oral problem with that girl provided if she has HIV Infection. That too, the risk is negligible or remote possibility.
Clear your doubt with a HIV test 12 weeks after that incident just to relieve unnecessary mental tension.
Dr S,Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar