[Question #5775] HIV and Other STD risks
73 months ago
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I had a protected vaginal and oral sex with CSW in US and condom was intact till the end. However i noticed in the morning that i had breaks in finger cuticle with little dried blood. No more than couple of MM. I never fully inserted my fingers in her vagina but was touching her . I am concerned if have exposed myself to HIV. Does this risk warrant a testing? Can I continue with unprotected sex with my regular partner. Please asses my risk
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
73 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.
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My main reaction is to congatulate you for the wisdom in using a condom for this event. That fact is by far the most important aspect of this even. Intact condoms are highly effective against those STDs transmitted primarily by fluids (gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, hepatitis viruses). Although somewhat less effective for those transmitted skin to skin (HSV, HPV, syphilis), they're still very good and the risk of catching any STD from a single event like this is very, very low.
Almost all sexual events have a certain amount of ancillary contact, like hand-genital contact, fingering, kissing, etc. These carry no measurable risk of any infection. There has never been a reported case of HIV in someone whose only risk was fingering or other hand gential contact. And if you think of it, there must have been billions and billions of such events -- and because nicks and cuts on the fingers are extermely common as well, there must have been billions of fingering events, with cuts, with HIV infected women. And still no known cases of HIV transmission.
So for sure you do not need testing and can safely continue sex with your regular partner. That said, if you have non-marital sex with CSWs on a regular basis, you should be tested for HIV and common STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) from time to time (e.g. once a year), even if there have been no lapses in safe sex. If this describes your lifestyle and you haven't been tested recently, this would be a good time, while it's on your mind. But definitely not because of this particular event.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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73 months ago
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Thanks for the response doctor. I had recently tested for all STDs (2 months ago) and everything was fine. Can I just put this past me and move on with my life?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
73 months ago
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Yes indeed. This event definitely does not warrant another round of tests.---