[Question #9390] razor cut, semen

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33 months ago

I had a recent encounter with a male of an unknown status, but with a larger history of partners. Prior to showering together (approximately 5 minutes) I cut the inner part of my thigh with a razor while shaving, I made sure to dab it on some paper towels till it stopped bleeding. It was a small cut which I didn’t feel at all but nonetheless it bled and was fresh in nature (my biggest concern). To my knowledge the bleeding stopped relatively immediately after drying it with tissue, but very soon afterword’s (about 5 min later) while showering his penis came into contact with the cut, with precum on it. I struggle with severe anxiety/OCD and have been worrying myself sick wondering if I need pep intervention or testing, specifically afraid of hiv or any stis in general as well. I did not have any other exposure besides this and mutual masturbation… seeking your expert opinion please regarding risks, testing etc. Given my anxiety hearing probabilities or phrases such as “low-risk” or “virtually zero risk” are helpful to me in distinction. Thank you in advance for everything you guys do! 

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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
33 months ago
Greetings. Thanks for your confidence in the forum, and for your advance thanks for our services.

You can relax and stop worrying:  this was a zero risk event for HIV and any other STI, even if your partner had an active, transmissible infection. HIV is not transmitted sexually without penile penetration into a vagina or rectum; even oral sex is little or no risk. There has never been a reported case of HIV acquired by contact of hands, blood, or body fluids with a superficial cut (or even suspicion of such a case, to my knowledge); your shaving wound did not create any risk. I recommend against even testing for HIV or any STI, and for sure you should not seek PEP on account of this event.

In other words, I don't even need to qualify my comments in the way you suggest:  not "low risk" and not "virtually zero risk":  this was just plain zero risk.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD
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