3 weeks ago I met a girl whilst out. One thing led to another. There was alcohol involved, however, I was not drunk and completely aware of what went on.

There was no intercourse at all, nor did I give or receive oral sex. All that happened was 15-20 mins of open-mouth French kissing, I fingered her vagina and she gave me an unprotected handjob.

My concern is that there was a small blood patch on the bed once we were done and she had gone home. Either she was on her period or I innocently fingered her too hard.

I have spoken to my Doctor this week about this event. He told me to stop worrying about HIV and to move on - citing that HIV is only transmitted by unprotected penile-vagina/anus intercourse, or by injection of another’s blood into tissue using a needle.

He has advised that even if this girl had HIV, and even if she had vaginal fluids or some blood on her hand when she gave me the handjob, no testing is needed. He said the same about fingering contact with blood (even though I bite my nails).

This has been reassuring hearing this from a medical professional, however, I would also like to hear your views as experts in the STI world.

Kind regards

I agree exactly with your doctor in every detail. It's almost as if they had quoted from our advice to other persons with questions similar to yours.

HIV has never been known to be transmitted by hand-genital contact, even if vaginal fluid was used for lubrication, and even if the fluid contained blood. (Vaginal sex with an HIV infected woman during menstruation is no more likely to result in HIV than at other times:  the amount of HIV in blood and vaginal fluids is about the same.) And for sure superficial contact with blood on sheets or clothing is risk free. Also, depending to some extent on where you are, the chance your email partner has HIV probably is low.

So I agree you should not be at all worried and do not need testing. If somehow I were in your situation, I would not be tested and would continue unprotected sex with my wife without any worry that I could infect her.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isnt' clear.

HHH, MD

Thank you for taking time out of your weekend to answer me. 

So in summary: no penetration (penis in vagina, anus or mouth) = no HIV risk?

Kind regards

Apologies, my response was related purely to a sexual context. I do not share drug equipment or needles and never will.

So to wrap up: if I don’t have penile intercourse with an unknown partner, I will never catch HIV?

I appreciate that this is my last post before the thread is closed. Thank you for your help and for providing this service.