HomeAnswersInternal MedicinehivCan I be infected with HIV from only receiving unprotected oral sex?

Can I be infected with HIV from only receiving unprotected oral sex?

Share

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

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At December 9, 2017
Reviewed AtOctober 12, 2022

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 31-year-old male. I wish to know what are the practical chances of me being infected with HIV from only receiving unprotected oral sex. It happened multiple times in the course of a one-hour encounter with a CSW. There was absolutely no vaginal or anal intercourse. Exactly one month after this encounter, I suffered somewhat from flu and a common cold-type condition. It developed as follows:

Day 1: It started in the afternoon with continuous sneezing (mostly dry, but not entirely)

Day 2: I started feeling a scratchy sensation in my throat. The sneezing lasted but was less frequent.

Day 3: The throat sensation continued, getting worse. Mild coughing with a runny nose though not severe, and little nasal congestion. Mild body aches at times here and there. I feel a slight malaise-type feeling.

Day 4: Throat discomfort and coughing sensation.

Day 5: Constant coughing, throat pain, throat discomfort, breathing problem, getting worse. Deep mouth-inhaling resulting in a cough.

There was no rise in body temperature, no noticeable fatigue, no serious or persistent body ache, no trouble doing usual chores, no unusual body rashes, and no unusual gastrointestinal problem. I visited the GP on the fifth day of this encounter. He examined my chest with a stethoscope and said no serious cough in the chest and that my condition may be from some mild viral attack, nothing serious.

My queries are :

1. What are the chances, based on the encounter described above, of me having HIV assuming my partner was HIV-positive?

2. Are the symptoms being experienced by me HIV related?

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Before clarifying your doubts, I just want to let you know a few basic details about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and its transmission. HIV is spread mainly by having unprotected anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV, sharing needles or syringes of an infected person, or from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Transmission from homosexual males is more than transmission from a female to a male. HIV can also be affected by receiving blood transfusions and blood products.

About your query, every infection does not need to be related to HIV and having unnecessary anxiety, as does your general physician states. Without knowing the health status of your partner, we cannot judge the acquaintance of the HIV virus. If you are in doubt, you can go for an HIV investigation to confirm this. Without any proper evidence of active infection, there will not be any point in making this diagnosis.

Thank you.

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

Dr. Settipalli Saravan Pramod
Dr. Settipalli Saravan Pramod

Internal Medicine

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Internal Medicine

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy