Based on what's been shared, the precautions taken — not swallowing and rinsing the mouth — are actually meaningful steps that reduce risk. The overall chance of HIV transmission through oral sex is already very low (between 0% and 0.04%), and having no open sores, bleeding gums, or blood in the mouth lowers that risk even Show Full Answer
Based on what's been shared, the precautions taken — not swallowing and rinsing the mouth — are actually meaningful steps that reduce risk. The overall chance of HIV transmission through oral sex is already very low (between 0% and 0.04%), and having no open sores, bleeding gums, or blood in the mouth lowers that risk even further. That said, a few factors can raise the risk during oral sex, including:
- A partner with a detectable viral load
- Open sores or ulcers in the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Ejaculation into the mouth
If none of these applied, the risk in this situation sounds very minimal. Regarding the sore throat and itching after 8–9 days — these symptoms can have many everyday causes and aren't necessarily a cause for alarm. However, a sore throat can sometimes be an early sign of acute HIV infection, so it's always worth mentioning to a doctor, especially given the recent sexual activity.
It's a good idea to speak with an HIV care provider who can assess the symptoms properly and advise on whether testing makes sense at this point.
August 3
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