[Question #8266] HIV / handjob / saliva / high-risk prostitute

46 months ago

Hi,

Met this prositute on the street in eastern europe and consider her high-risk

Started with a blowjob (with condom)

Then in turned into handjob (with condom)

As i could not keep it hard I took the condom of. She finished me with her hands only but without the condom.

I am worried because of the saliva from the condom following the BJ, which she may have had on her hands when we continued without condom.

It was outside and dark so i did not pay attention to any blood, dental health, cuts in her hans etc.

I am not circumcised and I have a tight foreskin, but dont have any stds.

1. To which extend was i exposed to a Hiv infection and other STDs

2. What do you recommend in terms of testing

3. should I stop having sex with my wife untill I get clarity?

4. I have the opportunity to do a duo test 4th generation 25 days after exposure, is that too early or?

thanks

46 months ago

I have not slept for 15 days and my anxiety about this has kept me home from job since. I feel like I have the symptoms for an acute hiv infection.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

46 months ago

Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your question. I'll be glad to comment and hope that my responses will relieve your anxiety. Please remember that most commercial sex workers do not have STIs, even CSWs from high risk areas. Also, condom protected sexual contact is safe sex and, more importantly, STIs are not transmitted through the transfer of infected material from one person to another either when on a partner's hands or on inanimate objects. In fact, all experts and official bodies such as the WHO or U.S. CDC agree that even mutual masturbation in which participants get each other's genital secretions directly on one another is a no risk activity for acquisition of STIs, including HIV. Thus, even if your partner's saliva or genital secretions were on here hands, there would still be no risk for any STI whatsoever. If you had asked me if you needed any testing at all following the events you describe, I would have said no- no testing is needed. Thus, in reply to your specific questions:

1. This was a no risk encounter with no risk for any STI, including HIV.

2. No testing is needed

3. There is no reason to abstain from unprotected sex with your wife related to the events you describe.

4. No testing is needed. Should you choose to test for the purposes of reassurance, tessting at 28 days will detect over 99% of recent infections.

I hope my replies are helpful to you .EWH

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46 months ago

thank you doctor,

So is saliva as infectious like genital secretions in this case?

I am trying to figure out how risky this exposure was compared to just recieving a blowjob (which as I understand is almost impossible to transmit HIV)

thanks

Edward W. Hook M.D.

46 months ago

No, saliva is far less infectious then general secretions. Further, as I mentioned above, STI’s are not transmitted through indirect transfer of the sort you described. You are worrying needlessly! EWH---

46 months ago

thanks doctor,

Is saliva ever carrying HIV (has anyone ever been infected by saliva)? When I read on CDC they state HIV is only transfered thorugh blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal and vaginal fluids, breast milk.

Would you change you advise if you knew (100% sure) that she was infected with HIV?

Thank you. Much appreciated!!!!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

46 months ago

Hey this is a repetitive questions. If anyone had ever been infected with HIV through direct contact or indirect contact with saliva I would’ve said so. Similarly, there has never been a proven case of HIV acquired as a result of receipt of unprotected fellatio.

My advice would’ve been precisely the same irrespective of whether your partner was known to have HIV or not.

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients questions. This is my third response. Please don’t worry. It’s time for you to put this in counter behind you and move forward. Take care. EWH

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