Hope this message finds you well and I'd like to consult you with my recent sexual activity. So I'm a college student and two days ago, I make out with a girl who is also in the same school. She said she has had quite a few sexual partners before and she got tested for HIV/STDs several months ago and it was negative (not sure if this is true because she has lied to me on other things).

I fingered her with my right hand for about 5 minutes, and then my hand is full of her vaginal secretions. Then I went to the bathroom and started to wash my hands with soap for about 30 seconds, until I didn't feel there are any more sticky fluid on my right hand. Then I went back to her and start to masturbate myself with my right hand, and it takes several minutes to ejaculate. My concern is that although I washed my hands to a point that I think there are no fluids left, is there still a possibility that some HIV virus still remained on my hand and be able to infect my penis while I masturbate? Should I go get the PEP tomorrow?

Thank you so much.

1.  Most importantly, HIV and other STI’s are not transferred to cause infection when transferred from person to person on one person‘s hands. That is true whether there is touching involved or whether the hand which had genital secretions on it is used to masturbate without washing. In fact, both the WHO and American CDC state that mutual masturbation in which both partners get each other’s genital secretions on one another in the process of masturbation is safe, no risk sex. For this reason alone there is no reason for concern and no reason for testing.

2.  Most people do tell the truth about testing. In addition, despite the fact that she has had other sexual partners, most people do not have HIV or other STI’s.

3.  Finally, HIV and other STI’s are harder to transfer to other persons than you imagine. Evem most single, unprotected penetrative sex acts  to partners with STI’s do not result in infection. In your case the fact that there was no penetration and only masturbation, as explained above, makes this safe sex

Regarding this encounter, I see no reason for concern, no medical or scientific reason for testing, and certainly no reason to seek PEP. I hope this perspective is helpful to you. Take care. EWH

Thank you for your reply and explanations. I have an another question about HIV virus in general. On the internet, some sources said that HIV will die within seconds once it's outside human body and exposed to air, but some sources said that it could survive several hours. Which is true? Thank you!

Onc again, the encounter you describe was no risk for acquisition of HIV.  EWH

The concept that genital secretions are dirty or that non-penetrative skin contact with genital secretion leads to infections is mistaken. There are no data to suggest that cleaning of any sort following sexual contact reduces risk for acquisition of STI‘s. As you’ve already pointed out, the best possible prevention for most STI‘s ears correct and consistent kind of meals throughout all sexual encounters, particularly with new or casual partners. Should you enter a potentially long-term relationship, a good early step in such relationships is for both persons, sometimes together, to go get tested so that they could move forward with pleasurable sexual activity without the constraining affect of STI concerns. 

Finally, there are two STI‘s which are vaccine preventable and Aura recommended good sexual health practice. The vaccine for human papilloma virus prevents genital warts as well as the HPV infections which rarely go on to cause pre-cancerous lesions. In addition, the vaccine for hepatitis B is highly effective for preventing infection which may occur through sexual contact. Both vaccines are highly effective and safe. If you have not received them, I would encourage you to do so.

 As you know the above, this completes this thread. Take care. EWH