Dear Doctor Handsfield,

I had an episode of sexual contact with a sex worker a week ago. The episode involves the flowing acts. She used her genital parts with her underwear on and rubbed with my penis area with my pants and underwear on. After that she gave me an oral sex (insertive oral sex, my penis in her mouth) with a condom on. I also fingered her private parts afterwards.

I have never done anything like this before, and I am really worried. I feel so ashamed of what I have done and fearing for my life. I googled a lot, and everywhere says that what I did is low risk but there is “A RISK.”

Do you think I should get a HIV test in 6 weeks? I am very afraid of getting a test, fearing for the result that it may turn out.

Sorry for such a tedious long question. I hope you can appreciate how much I’m concerned.

Best regards,
Felix

Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your questions.  I’ll be glad to comment.  The activities you describe did not put you at risk for HIV.  HIV is not transmitted through clothing, even thin clothing which may be wet with genital secretions.  HIV is only transmitted through penetrative sexual contact.  Further, there has never been a proven case if HIV acquired through receipt of unprotected oral sex and in your case you had the added protection of a condom.  Finally, your masturbation of her with your finger was also a no risk activity.  There is no risk of HIV and no medical or scientific reason for testing.---

Thanks for responding Doctor Hook. Just to be on the safe side, do you recommend I wait a few weeks before having unprotected sex with my long-term partner?

I see no medical or scientific reason for abstaining from unprotected sex with your regular partner. Your encounter was a no risk event. EWH---

Many thanks to you Doctor Hook and also to Doctor Handsfield. After reading your reply and previous posts, I felt much more reassured. I feel like the risk of getting HIV has been largely exaggerated through out my education. Thanks again for everything you guys have done. Best wishes to all of you!

Final response. You are correct, there are widespread misconceptions both about how common HIV is and how easy it is to be acquired. Most people, including most commercial sex workers do not have untreated HIV (Person to her on effective therapy for HIV infection or not infectious to others).  Even when they do, the risk of acquiring infection from any single exposure is at least less than 1%. Take care. EWH---