Have you ever kissed a strange guy at a club after two to three drinks? Are you worried that you may have contracted HIV? You must have read somewhere the various ways through which HIV is transmitted from one person to the other, and the thought of having kissed a stranger deeply scares the hell out you?
Scientific facts about kissing and HIV transmission
First, you need to understand that for HIV to be transmitted, the body fluids involved must have direct access to the bloodstream. Saliva is, however, not one of the body fluids that can transmit HIV. In other words, it is extremely unlikely that you may contract HIV from kissing somebody. Saliva contains enzymes that hinder the growth of HIV.
However, in case of bleeding gums, or sores in your mouth coming into contact with an infected person’s actively bleeding wound or sores in the mouth, chances are there that you may contract the virus. This excludes the minor wounds you may get while brushing your teeth. Examples of an actively bleeding wound that may increase the risk include recent dental work such as extraction. According to scientific research, HIV transmission through social or closed-mouth kissing is not possible unless both partners have blood in their mouths as a result of bleeding gums or sores such as cancerous sores.
In addition, the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, and stomach have been termed as effective barriers against HIV unless there is an open cut on them. The same is true for saliva which contains proteins and low salt content that reduces its infectiousness. This means that even spit cannot transmit the virus.
Unless there is direct contact of body fluids such as blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or rectal secretions, you need not to worry about HIV transmission. Many times people go about seeking PEP treatment after deep kissing, but if you are sure you have no open wounds in the mouth, there is no need for panicking.
References:
https://wwwn.cdc.gov/hivrisk/transmit/activities/kissing.html
http://i-base.info/guides/testing/ways-that-hiv-is-not-transmitted
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/can-you-catch-hiv-from-kissing/
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