Chances of HIV from kissing?

In the past few weeks I've kissed a couple guys and I might have had chapped lips...and now I either have tonsillitis or mono (I get tonsillitis a lot). Should I be worried that I got HIV from kissing or just dismiss it and stop worrying?

The first guy was a few weeks ago but he just entered ROTC so I'm thinking he had to be HIV negative to be admitted. And the other I kissed..I got sick maybe a day or two after so I don't think I could show symptoms of HIV that fast...

Please help me stop worrying! I didn't taste blood so that's good right?

It's very unlikely anyone would get HIV this way. Also, the symptoms wouldn't have shown up this early, so the throat infection is not a reason to worry you have AIDS!

You should get tested anyways though, it's always good to do. And I'm sure you'd feel better after, since it's pretty certain you'll get a negative.

you cannot have an hiv just for kissing!!! but if you have a damaged skin at your tounge or at the lips.....for sure you'll have!!!!!

The chance of acquiring HIV from kissing someone is extremely small. Even if the person is bleeding from the mouth it is still a relatively LOW risk.

Almost all activities involving the mouth as the entry point for HIV are considered low risk. The mouth is a generally hostile environment for HIV. It's skin is pretty tough and fast to heal, and saliva cannot transmit HIV (only if there is VISIBLE blood can HIV be transmitted in saliva).

There are things that can place you at increased risk (but still considered to be LOW risk):
-open sores/cuts
-STIs in the mouth (definitely increases risk)
-recent dental work/surgery (definitely increases risk)
-smoking crack can weaken oral defences


I think many people are misinformed about the true meanings of NO RISK, THEORETICAL RISK, LOW RISK, and HIGH RISK in relation to HIV transmission.

No risk - no exchange of blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk .... cannot theoretically transmit the virus, never has.

Theoretical risk - exchange of fluids, but transmission has never been reported to occur from these activities

Low Risk - exchange of fluids, a very small number of transmissions have been recorded from these activities (in comaprison to HIGH risk activities

High Risk - exchange of fluids, VAST majority of transmissions have occured from these activities.

High risk is very high and low risk falls MUCH closer to the theoretical risk category than it does to high risk.


Rule of thumb: Unless you are having unprotected vaginal/anal sex, or sharing needles with someone acquiring HIV is very difficult and happens relatively infrequently (see above factors that would increase the risk of oral acquisition of HIV)

That being said, I believe everyone should be tested for HIV regularly, so get tested!