Risk Of AIDS Transmission From Kissing Cold Sore

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Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores and Genital Herpes)

What Is Herpes? Herpes simplex refers to a group of viruses that infect humans. Like herpes zoster (shingles, see Fact Sheet 509 ), herpes simplex causes painful skin eruptions. Itching and tingling are usually the first signs, followed by a blister that breaks open. The infection stays dormant in nerve cells. This is called "latency." However, it can become active again with no warning. Herpes can be active without symptoms or visible signs....

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wet kissing with cold sores

What is the relative risk (high, medium, low) for this situation: I engaged in wet kissing (I don't know if my partner has HIV) and later saw three small cold sores inside my lower lip (each about 0.5mm in size). My partner did not have any...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

This is not a situation for which I recommend testing. HIV is not transmitted through kissing. RMK... Read more »

risk of HIV from oral sex with cold sore

what are the risk of contracting hiv from someone from the act of performing oral sex when cold sore blisters are present on the lips of the partner providing the oral sex?would the use of a condom reduce the risk? it is possible for the virus to be...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

Theoretically, if you have some sort of active sore or lesion and that comes into contact with HIV infected fluids, there would be an increased risk of HIV transmission. A barrier that prevents fluids from coming into contact with the sore would... Read more »

Re: HIV transmission Risk, WILL DONATE (CASUAL CONTACT, 2010)

Hi Doc,I just thought of another question after typing my original ones (below). #4. Would the fact that I get Cold Sores occasionally make it more likely for me to transmit HIV in the below circumstances? Specifically the one with the milk? I have...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Very Nervous,1. HIV via canine crotch nuzzling??? Nope! (Nice to know at least Toto got to second base with your gal-pal.)2. HIV via a small piece of a picked scab finding its way into your next-day nookie or bathroom activities? No, of course... Read more »

syphilis risk from kissing?

First, Dr. Frascino, let me say that I cried when I read about you having HIV and how you got it. I cried not because I'm sad, but because of how much I admire the way you seem to be living your life to the fullest and helping others, not just...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Sorry there are no estimated risk statistics for the risk of acquiring syphilis from French kissing. Likewise for other STDs.Can it happen? Sure. If someone has an active cold sore, he or she could transmit herpes to his or partner with a... Read more »

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Kissing shaft and sitting Risk too?

Posted by happyheart, 2 Replies

I French kissed a man, and I sat on his penis when I had no underwear nor anything else on], which was covered by his underwear, but I noticed a medium sized wet spot on there, likely from his pre semen or semen. This was on one occasion. On another... Read more »

Deep Kissing & Oral Sex Risk Comparison

Posted by supernervousguy, 1 Reply

I know this is probably an obnoxious question, but hopefully someone can help satisfy my curiosity. I am aware that deep/french/tongue kissing is next to zero risk for transmission. However, in many places online and on this forum, it is placed in... Read more »

Deep kissing, receving multiple oral and rimming, symptoms, risk?

Posted by TopGuy1, 1 Reply

About a month ago I had sex with a couple of guys on a vacation, in gay sauna. They gave me oral and we kissed (real deep french kissing), no anal. I had something like a zit on the penis and canker sore in the mouth. One guy rimmed me.

A week after... Read more »

cold sores

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hi all, this is not a question if i have hiv.
about 4 months ago(while under alot of stress) on my upper lip i noticed lots of little white bumps(tiny)I thought maybe it was cold sores but 3 months later they have not burst or anything, Iam wondering... Read more »

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