[Question #13349] bit of vaginal fluid on hand

1 days ago

Hi Dr. Handsfield, I hope you are doing well. Recently, I had sexual intercourse with a married woman. I used a condom throughout penetration, but before putting it on, I briefly massaged her vagina with my hand. Using the same hand, I touched the head of my penis for a moment, and then I put on the condom. The entire penetration was protected with the condom. I’m worried—could HIV be transmitted from this brief contact with vaginal fluid before the condom was applied?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 days ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services. FYI, it is only by coincidence that I am replying rather than Dr. Hook. Users do not have the option of selecting the moderator who responds. Dr. Hook's and my experience and expertise are identical and our evaluations and advice do not differ from one another.

You describe an entirely safe sexual encounter. Hand-genital contact rarely if ever transmits HIV or any other STI. Almost all sexual encounters include hand-genital contact, with genital fluids on the fingers and hands -- but never enough to transmit infection, especially HIV. In addition, you describe a new partner who almost certainly does not have HIV. You should not be worried, do not need testing for HIV or anything else, and if you have a regular partner, I do not advise any change in your usual sexual contacts with them.

I hope these comments relieve your concerns. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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