Hi all,
I just have a question for anyone who has HIV or knows alot about it. The past few weeks my mouth has been giving me problems; like the roof of my mouth gets kind of raw and I burn easily from eating hot foods. A couple days ago my tongue was sore, too. I had a possible exposure almost three months ago, and I was very depressed and scared that I had HIV. As soon as I got over it; I had a few more unsafe encounters(unprotected vaginal, and insertive oral w/different females) last weekend. But my question is, is that something that is common with HIV+ persons, mouth problems like that?

Also, since my last HIV test(which was negative), I've had two insertive oral sex encounters and a one time unprotected sex with a woman I didn't know that well. Sometimes I get really scared thinking about it that I might be positive and then I think about the risk per act numbers I see on the internet(.5 per 10,000 exposures for insertive oral sex). That seems like my chances of getting it are slim, so should I even be worried?

Well, there are two parts to this question. The first is related to what you presume to oral/dental/gingival issues related to HIV. The only issue that has come up is related to "thrush" which is a yeast infection usually caused by medications and antibiotics but is sometimes susceptible to people in late stages of HIV.

The bigger issue is, having experienced all the anxiety and fear related to a possible HIV transmission, why you continue to put yourself in harm's way? Usually people who think that have HIV vow never to go through this again but you seem to really get off on the possibility that you could be infected and are possibly infecting others. I mean, I know it's not intentional but it still seems as though you are making a choice here, a rather dangerous choice at that. Can you articulate your motives/issues related to continually putting yourself at risk? chris

i can only agree with chris on this, you say your worried and concerned about possible exposures, but continue having risky encounters without the mention of taking the test lately, it is beyond me why people who are concerned or worried about exposure dont take the necessary precautions.

Condoms can be obtained for free!!! So use them!

I can't really understand why I would do continue to do it. I'm not sure what my motives are; I don't think to myself that I would like to go out and be dangerous, it kind of just happens and I feel guilty after it. I drink and drive as well, alot, and the first few times I did it, I felt very guilty but now I don't even think twice about it. Alot of people I know do that, actually. I'm starting to see a pattern where I do alot of things in excess/unsafely. Just reading my last post makes me sick that I actually did those things. Thanks for your help everyone but I think I need a professional to help me out. Have a happy holidays

Dear BReezy: what obviously concerns us (and concerns you as well) is the tendency for self-destructive behaviors. I think the HIV issue, at this time, is a non-issue. But we think that you risky sexual encounters and your drinking and driving history may suggest to that it would be helpful to discern the root cause and try some corrective action. Since it's Christman, give yourself the gift of new life. chris

Thanks; I like the sound of that...the gift of new life...I think I'll give that a try. Because this behavior has to stop one way or the other; I'd prefer the safer way. Have a happy holidays, Chris, and everyone else.