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How Is HIV Infection Transmitted?

Posted on Sat, 29 Mar 2014

Question: I am quite depressed and could not sleep or eat . I have been to night bars in Hong Kong on Feb 8. Following things happened- 1.The strippers there performed lap dance on me 2.During lap dance they sucked my bare nipples for 1-2 minutes. There are small pimples around my nipples. I am not sure if while sucking my pimples were touched and came in contact with their mouth. To best of my knowledge I did not notice any blood on nipples, but pimples were slightly reddish. If those women had blood in mouth or bleeding gums, can that blood get on pimples and cause infection. I am quite scared and would like to know if I will be infected with HIV. Also please let me know what is risk if one of the pimples is open(popped off) and came in contact with their mouth while sucking. Can HIV infection happen in this way. I am worried to death.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer: There is a chance of getting HIV infection. Detailed Answer: Hello. Welcome to Healthcare Magic, I have gone through your history and understand your concern, HIV is not normally transmitted through saliva. Transmission of HIV virus from one individual to other individual is possible when saliva is mixed with blood. If there is a minor breach in your pimple, if the women who have performed the act of sucking had blood in her mouth can transmit HIV to you, if she is HIV positive. If your pimple is opened the chance of getting HIV infection will be more, but once again it depends upon the amount of viral load in the HIV infected individual. I would suggest you to undergo HIV testing, only if you have any abrasions on the pimple which was sucked.It helps to confirm the HIV status and remove the anxiety associated with HIV. Hope I have answered your query, if you have any further query feel free to post them. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (31 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for reply. I wish to provide few more points The pimples are very small and thy were not open .When I say open, I did not notice any liquid or prop off. More over I understand infection is sexually possible only through unprotected anal and vaginal sex. I consulted my family doctor in HK and has gone through HIV/STD tests 3 days after exposure. He confirmed me that there is no risk of HIV infection. I also consulted with other sites on internet and moderators there confirmed me no risk. I have also received response from on of the doctors on health magic as below- hello welcome to HCM dont worry it will not cause you HIV infected no matter the stripper is HIV positive. only by lying on you and sucking your nipples cannot cause HIV. so dont get tense you are totally safe.about pimples or red dots around your nipples will be because of some allergy or infection for that consult some physician or dermatologist. thank you Can you also please clarify on your statement-I would suggest you to undergo HIV testing, only if you have any abrasions on the pimple which was sucked. Regarding tests please advice when can I take tests. t is 4 weeks after incident now.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: You can test with CMIA Detailed Answer: Hello, It is my pleasure to answer your query, As your pimples are very small and they were not open, sucking your nipples cannot cause HIV. HIV virus can gain entry into your body if there is any open in the pimple. As I have mentioned in my response, theoretically it is possible to transmit HIV virus from one individual to other individual if saliva is mixed with blood. Your history is suggesting me that you are not having any HIV infection only to remove the anxiety, I have suggested you to undergo CMIA (Chemiluminiscent microparticle immunoassay) test to detect P24 antigen of HIV and antibodies to HIV1/2. The p24 antigen tests are useful in the immediate short term i.e. 4-8 weeks after possible infection. It is my privilege to answer if you have nay further query. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (52 minutes later)

Dear XXXXXXX Can you please explain more about meaning of -only if you have any abrasions on the pimple which was sucked. Can you please explain more abut abrasions. What does it mean. Also I undertook test HIV1 & 2 Ag/Ab(by CMIA) after 3 days of exposure. Is this test same as that of you have mentioned-CMIA (Chemiluminiscent microparticle immunoassay) test to detect P24 antigen of HIV and antibodies to HIV1/) If yes , can I take test HIV1 & 2 Ag/Ab(by CMIA) in next week and am I needed to take any other test after 3 months of exposure date i.e. 8 Feb 14. I have been in relationship with only my wife, no one else, For your information-had similar incident in August13. I took test after 20 weeks in in Jan14 and last test after this Feb 8 incident was on 11 Feb14.-Both were negative This was stupid behavior on my part and I am regretting it.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Both the tests are same. Detailed Answer: Hello, Abrasions on the pimple is nothing but any open lesion in the pimple. As it is not open sucking your nipples cannot cause HIV. The test which you have undergone is the same test which I have recommended, as the results are negative nothing to worry, but you need to test for HIV 1/2 antibody test at the end of 90 days of possible exposure (Window period 90 days from the possible exposure). If those also comes as negative nothing worry, you are 100% conclusive that you are not having HIV. By your history and report it suggests me that you are not having any HIV infection only to remove the anxiety, I have suggested you to undergo HIV 1/2 antibody test after 90 day. Hope all your doubts are clear, still if you have any further doubts don't hesitate to post me. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (5 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX I gathered that the HIV1 & 2 Ag/Ab(by CMIA) test also looks for both the antibody to HIV and also the p24 antigen . Is this correct Can I take same test-HIV1 & 2 Ag/Ab(by CMIA) after 90 days of exposure

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: yes Detailed Answer: Hello,. Yes you have to test for CMIA index after 90 days of possible exposure. This test will detect P 24 antigen and antibody to HIV 1/2. After the window period of 90 days, detection of antibodies is important,because by this time the antigen will be identified by the body immune system and there level will be decreased. Testing by CMIA definitely gives a valid results. Hope I have answered your query, still if you have any doubts or query, I will be very happy to answer them. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)

Hi XXXXXXX If I take intermediate test after 6 weeks of exposure i.e. in week of 24 March will that be helpful. Please advice

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No need to test now. Detailed Answer: Hello. Its my pleasure to answer your query, As you have already done your test and it has come as negative which means that either you are negative for HIV infection or you may be in window period. Window period in HIV is 90 days.It is the maximum time inerval between the entry of virus into the body and production of antibodies against the virus. There is no need to do the test now.You repeat the test after 90 days of possible exposure. Hope I have answered your query. Still if you have any query don't hesitate to post them. Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (11 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX Thanks, that test was conducted only after 3 days of exposure i.e. I had this incident on 8th Feb and test was done on 11 Feb 14. Therefore I was requesting your opinion

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No need to do test now Detailed Answer: Hello Its my pleasure to answer your query No matter after how many days you have done the test, p24 antigen of HIV virus will be detected as early as possible after exposure. So, no need to do the test now.If at all if you do the test now, you have to confirm it once again after 90 days by doing antiibody test to HIV 1 and 2 virus. Hope you are satisfied with the answer. If you have any further query, post them Thank you

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad