Would seroconversion via saliva, lets say bite or oral sex (receptive or insertive), be slower than via blood? I have looked on the internet for hours and cannot find an answer. Also if anybody has a link to any seroconversion percentages could you post it, i'd appreciate it.

First of all the likelihood of transmitting HIV through saliva, ie: deep kissing, etc. is so small that data does not indicate it to be even considered a risk. Being bitten, however, runs a greater risk to the person doing the biting than to the person being bitten because the person who is doing the biting is going to ingest more blood (if the person being bitten is HIV+, of course) that the person being bitten is going to through saliva. This, assuming, that the skin is broken. Saliva, again poses little risk.

Now, the second part of the question relates to whether one will contract the virus slower through the means you mentioned than other means. I think the answer is, "no". Being HIV+ is being postively HIV whether is was through anal or vaginal intercourse, sharing IV drug paraphanalia, etc. THerefore, there is no condition where a person is less positive for the virus that someone else. (However, there may be indicators which means that the virus has mutated faster or that the patient is more ill but only because of the progression of the disease.) I've been redundant, but do you understand? chris

Thanks for the feedback, but what i'm trying to ask is if you get infected by another body fluid other than blood would it take longer for one to seroconvert? Like if someone was exposed to HIV+ breast milk would it take longer for the person to seroconvert than via blood. Would the seroconversion time be longer for different bodily fluids regardless of the person?

Hey there,

only difference comes in where people will seroconvert at different rates depending on their immune system. This is where the 3 month rule comes in as 99.9% of people will have seroconverted by then.

Hope that helps.

Greg

Does this mean that if a person has a weak immune system they will seroconvert later and if they have a strong one they will seroconvert earlier?

Dear Worriedguy: Tell me what has you so concerned? The questions you are asking point to some very personal concerns that may be related to an experience you may have had. Can you be more specific about your situation? chris

Dear Worriedguy: Tell me what has you so concerned? The questions you are asking point to some very personal concerns that may be related to an experience you may have had. Can you be more specific about your situation? chris

I recieved unprotected oral sex, and nine weeks and a day after, i got a fever. Also about 2 and a half weeks after the fever i got a bad cold sore breakout. I heard ARS usually happens 2-6 weeks after exposure. I am wondering if it could take longer to seroconvert via saliva than semen or other body fluids. Also my immune system, i think, is pretty weak because i never get enough sleep, am always tired, constant oral thrush, and am always stressed. These symptoms were present way before the exposure. So does a weak immune system equal later seroconversion?

OK, first of all you need to remember that receptive oral sex has a notably low risk for exposure or transmission. (Do remember, however, that there are other STDs that can be contracted through oral sex including gonnohrea, syphillis, and clamydia. No, you don't have symptoms for these, either!)

While I am uncertain about the need for your concern about a weakened immune system being more susceptible to the virus, I think the best answer you would need to focus upon is this: would it be better knowing your status or not knowing your status. In case you're fumbling for an answer it is this: it better knowing your status.

The symptoms you described do seem to be more or less related to anxiety issues. I am concerned abou this issue related to constant oral thrush. Are you sure it's thrush? Thrush is incredibly painful and, generally, you would not be able to eat, brush your teeth, etc.

Above all else, however, in order to maintain good mental health, I think you need to be tested...the results of which will be, of course, negative. chris

The only people who would seroconvert slower are those who have a compromised immune system, and you would know if you fell in this category trust me. Organ transplant, chemo etc

3 months is the golden standard (90 days) and most will seroconvert and show positive at 4-6 weeks after exposure.


Jon.

I hate the term seroconversion , it just seems like an alien term and its very scary. Makes me feel like if I do turn positive I will be changed into something inhuman..I hate this so much , never again will i have sex with anyone anymore no matter what my results.

Dear Lutheran: you've painted a very interesting and very sensitive picture. Really, it's hard not to think you've become some kind of alien, as though you've dropped into an entirely uninhabitable space that is totally unfamiliar. You look at people and wonder if, as they look back at you, if they can tell your status. YOu do become guarded in your conversations, and you find yourself asking, "What did they mean by that?" as though you've become suspicious of everyone around you. But these things pass, rather quickly, actually, and you find friends and family who will love you through all of this. And, you will eventually, understand that it's all just a bump in the road. chris

I have been pretty stupid with how I have handled this whole situation. I told too many people what happened to me that night and although they seem to laugh off any thought that I may be infected I just know NOW that if I was to be completely honest about a positive result I will most likely regret it. I have to rethink the whole matter and just tell the people in my life who need telling what my true results are as I can't live with the idea that my good friends at work or my few normal friends in general will be thinking about if I am going to infect them or just plain think different of me. Even not knowing my status I want to shake people up and tell them you have no idea probably how many people in your lifetime you have kissed or shaked hands with or been near them when they sneezed/coughed and that person did have this disease and you were completely unaware that anything was wrong with them and maybe even the sneezer didn't know as well. I felt like I should tell them what happened so they knew and would be prepared for bad times for me in the future ( i also wanted to hear comforting words ) but after reading some of the stuff on the net from people and talking to a friend who told me he would NEVER tell anyone except for close family I think I am better off being in that place that you speak of above , in a void where I am not sure what people think but also not really caring what they think either. I pray I am negative , my mind is not strong enough to deal with this alone. I am all alone with this.

I am not sure what people think but also not really caring what they think either. I pray I am negative , my mind is not strong enough to deal with this alone. I am all alone with this.

You and I seem to be in the same situation regarding our exposure. So you are not alone, plus GOD is always with you.

Dear Lutheran and Worried Guy: I know that it is hard to believe, but there is life after you get your results. Whether you are negative or positive, that part really doesn't matter, because it all comes down to how you are going to live your life, and how are you going to take care of yourselves. I think that our first inclination it to think that we are going to be astrocized by the people we care about. (Remember that frightful Beneton add of several yrs ago?) The fact is that despite your results, you are called upon to be faithful to yourself, (and to God, if you believe). You are called upon to protect yourself from all the onslaughts of those around you. But, most importantly, you are called upon to live your life with this new mission because, whatever your results, your now have been where many, many others have not. Your knowledge and your courage will be able to teach others about their own safety and their conscious, self-regard for their futures. chris

Aside from the emotional support you are recieving let me give you cold hard scientific fact. There has never been a documented case of transmission this way, and much like myself, i know you won't believe this until you get a negative (which you will) from this non-exposure.

Jon