[Question #11448] HIV

14 months ago

Last week, I had a BDSM session with a female sex worker. She inserted a dildo into my rectum for about half an hour. I am not sure if the dildo was clean or not. However, I am sure that even if the dildo had been used on previous clients just before me (i.e., it was inserted into the previous clients’ vaginas or rectums), at least 20 minutes would have passed before it was inserted into my rectum because we had a conversation before the session started.

Let’s assume that the dildo was still wet with HIV-containing blood or other HIV-containing fluids from the previous clients when it was inserted into my rectum.

My questions are:

1. Would 20 minutes be enough for HIV on the dildo to lose its ability to infect, even if it was still wet when it was inserted into my rectum?

2. Does HIV lose its ability to infect within a few minutes in a moist environment like a toilet?

3. If, in addition to blood or other fluids that contain HIV, the dildo was also contaminated with lubricants that slowed the drying process when it was inserted into my rectum, would my risk of HIV infection still be zero?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

14 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. My sense is that you are likely to be overreacting. Typically, BDSB CSWs carefully clean their toys and tools between clients. Further, even if she did not (unlikely), it is unlikely that the client who preceded you had HIV or any other STI. Finally, HIV and other STIs are NOT transmitted from person to person in inanimate objects including dildos, toilet seats contaminated with urine or genital secretions, count tops or doorknobs. The passage of at least 20 minutes virtually assures you that there was no potential for you to get infected through your exposure to an unclean dildo. Thus:

1. Would 20 minutes be enough for HIV on the dildo to lose its ability to infect, even if it was still wet when it was inserted into my rectum?

Yes, this sort of exposure would not put you at risk

2. Does HIV lose its ability to infect within a few minutes in a moist environment like a toilet?

Yes

Use of lubricants would in no way change my assessment.

The encounter you describe was likely a no risk event unless there were other direct penetrative exposure. I would not worry and personally, see no need for testing. I hope this information is helpful. EWH

---

14 months ago

Thank you so much for your reply. I apologize if I am overreacting. I am very new to this kind of situation, but I feel relieved now.

In addition to the dildo exposure, she kissed my body and inserted her finger into my rectum. Nothing else happened.

I have a few more questions:

1. How long does HIV remain infectious in fluids outside the human body? Is there a scientific consensus?

2. I have hemorrhoids, and I am worried that they were bleeding during my exposure. However, it doesn’t matter because HIV on the dildo must have lost its ability to infect when the dildo was inserted into my rectum. Is my logic correct?

3. Just for reassurance, my risk of HIV infection is zero, so I don’t need HIV testing, correct?

Thank you again for your professional and scientific advice.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

14 months ago

You are over reacting. Brief answers to your repetitive follow-ups:

1. How long does HIV remain infectious in fluids outside the human body? Is there a scientific consensus?

There is abundant evidence that HIV is not sexually infectious without direct contact. It is for this reason that the CDC, the WHO and expert consensus all agree that HIV is not sexually transmitted without direct contact and that indirect contact, including contact with genital secretions of an infected partner in the course of mutual masturbation and contact via inanimate objects is not a risk.

The presence of hemorrhoids does not change my assessment

3. Just for reassurance, my risk of HIV infection is zero, so I don’t need HIV testing, correct?

I see no medical or scientific reason for testing. Testing is always a personal choice

EWH

---