[Question #13671] HIV

1 months ago

Hello Doctors

Thank you for this forum. I am pleased to read that you both have never been wrong with your advice in 21+ years and this is the reason that I am here. I hope you can provide concrete reassurance.

3 weeks ago I hooked up with a girl at a bar in the UAE (she is English and also living there). I regret this ordeal as I am in a relationship with my GF.

We did not have intercourse. However, later that evening I did: (1) finger her vagina, (2) lick / suck her breasts; and (3) engage in long periods of deep / French kissing.

She also briefly grabbed my penis and the tip. I cannot recall if she had any vaginal fluids on her hands as the bedroom was dark.

After reviewing other posts on this forum, I understand that the above are all no risk for HIV infection and no testing is needed. It seems that the only ways any adult can be infected is via (1) unprotected vaginal / anal sex and (2) shared needles. And hand-genital contact is also no risk even if there’s vaginal fluids on hands and the urethra is touched?

I want to put this ordeal behind me. HIV is my biggest worry due to being in MENA and the testing requirements every few years for my employment.

1. Am I in the clear with HIV? (i.e would you worry if you were in my shoes?)

2. Can I have unprotected intercourse with my GF?

Thank you.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

1 months ago

Welcome to our forum. Thank you for your questions and for looking at previous threads, which we have provided to other clients. I am pleased to provide you with the reassurance that you seek. None of the activities, specifically, French kissing, sucking your partner’s breasts, or inserting your finger into her vagina put you at risk for any STI including HIV. The duration in which you engaged in these activities does not affect your risk at all. Nor is there any risk if during these activities you came into contact with any of her genital secretions.There is no reason for concern and no scientific reason for testing.

Thus:

1. Correct, you are in the clear and have nothing to worry about.

2. None of the activities you describe result in any risk of you having an STI, including HIV or transmitting an STI including HIV to your girlfriend.

I hope the information I have provided is helpful. I encourage you to move forward and wish you a happy new year. EWH.

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1 months ago

Dr Hook - thank you for your reassurance. It is a shame that other doctors online away from this forum do not seem to provide such clear responses.

One last question if I may: I had a pimple deep in one of my nostrils which I had a tendency to pick at. I do not recall washing my hands beforehand.

IF there happened to be any blood or genital secretions that I had touched (i.e on boxes, door handles etc.) before I inserted my finger in my nostril, and I had not noticed, would this be an HIV risk?

The same question for eating and licking fingers afterwards.

Thank you for your assistance and apologies for the delayed response. Happy New Year!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

1 months ago

That you reached into your nose does not represent a risk, even if the pimple in your nose was open. HIV and other STIs are not transmitted from person to person through transfer of blood or secretions on a person’s fingers. EWH---