What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Kissing?

Posted on Tue, 4 Nov 2014

Question: Im hoping you can ease my mind, I went on a blind date and at the end of the night my date and I ended up French Kissing (for about 30 seconds). She kissed me pretty aggressively and has a tongue ring. I also have slight gingivitis. Im not sure if any blood went from her mouth to mine, But I was tested at 96 day and 140 days with a Rapid HIV test (unigold) and I was tested by my Doctor at about 168 days (Im uncertain which test the lab uses (Im located in the United States) All tests came back Negative. Is it safe to say Im conclusively Negative? I have read mix answers about when testing should be done (3 or 6 months) and I've read Saliva "reduces" the risk of HIV. Im just not sure what to believe.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are confirmed HIV negative conclusively

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Regarding french kissing, the literature says the following.

It is not recommended to engage long, open mouth kissing (“French Kissing”) with someone who has HIV and one of you has an open sore in or around the mouth.

On saliva reducing risk of HIV transmission, research says that "Saliva rapidly disrupted 90% or more of blood mononuclear leukocytes and other cultured cells. Concomitantly, there was a 10000-fold or higher inhibition of the multiplication of HIV and surrogate viruses." This supports the inhibitory nature of saliva towards the HIV virus.

Coming to your situation, the earliest test done after a week is to check for RNA or DNA material from HIV virus. This is always followed by a test at the end of 90 days or three months. If this is negative then another test is done at the end of 6 months to confirm with certainty that the person is not infected with the HIV virus.

In your case, 168 days is close to 180 days so it is certain that you are infection free.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (37 minutes later)

Thanks a lot for the reply! You have made me feel a lot better!

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Welcome and thanks for accepting my reply.

Please do not worry about it any more. You are confirmed HIV negative.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D