[Question #11259] HIV exposure

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15 months ago
Dear Experts, 
I was at a strip club last week and was dancing with a stripper. While she was dancing, the stripper unbottoned my shirt. 
She then used her hand to rob her vagina and used the hand to rob my nipples. My fear is that is it possible for vaginal fluid to enter my body through my nipple? 
Can one be infected with HIV through the nipple?
Does this incident require testing?

Also I do an HIV test annually and I notice my index value has gone up from 0.36 to 0.50? is this normal?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
15 months ago
Welcome back to our forum. Thank you for your continued confidence in our services.

HIV is not sexually transmitted except by intercourse -- i.e. penile insertion into another person's vagina or rectum. Even oral sex is little or no risk. Neither HIV nor any other STI is ever transmitted by hand-genital contact, or by vaginal fluids other than during intercourse. That's true even if vaginal fluids are used for lubrication, on the genitals, nipples, or anywhere else. This episode definitely does not require HIV testing.

As implied above, if you're having real sex from time to time, it is wise to be tested for HIV from time to time, like once a year. If no intercourse, there is no need.

Changes in the HIV test index value mean absolutely nothing as long as the numbers remain below the cut-off level for a positive result (usually 0.9 or thereabouts). The same specimen tested 10 times can give 10 different numbers; if all are under 0.9, don't worry about it.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD
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15 months ago
Thanks for your reply. This is well understood
Just for understanding sake. Is nipple is mucuos membrance? 
is it possible for vaginal fluid or any fluid to gain entry through the nipple. 
Is it okay to regard the nipple as skin?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
15 months ago
No, nipples are skin, not mucous membranes. But it doesn't matter anyway. Why are you focused on mucous membranes? If you do not have penetrative vaginal or anal sex, you will never get HIV. Other mucous membrane exposures carry no significant risk.---
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15 months ago
Thank you. All I need is assurance a man's nipple is not pathway for HIV to enter the body. 
Aside this, I have no other issue. 
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
15 months ago
Even if HIV could be transmitted by contact with nipples or elsewhere on the skin, the mouth and saliva rarely if ever transmit HIV. Oral sex also is risk free, oral to penis and HIV is not transmitted by kissing. Contact with someone's mouth isn't a risk, even if a mucous membrane is involved. 

That concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.
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