[Question #9728] HIV pass through clothes?

29 months ago

I have met a guy online with an unknow HV status. He came to visit me and pull out his penis and started masturbating to himself I was nervous so I have not taken off my clothes. Anyways I briefly touched his back and then I requested him to leave. While he was going, he grabbed and pressed my penis with my pajamas on.

Now, reading here I know HIV can not pass through clothing even it becomes wet and come in contact with susceptible cells. I wonder what is bases of this, is there a study done or scientific research for HIV transmission through clothes.

2- What are susceptible parts in circumcised penis. Is tip of penis susceptible to HIV in circumcised male?

3- Is 2-3 minute delay is enough for HIV fluid becoming non-infectious. I read different numbers on the internet.

29 months ago

I have an incident , with lack of judgement I am married and regret my decision. I have met a guy online with an unknow HV status. He came to visit me and pull out his penis and started masturbating to himself I was nervous so I have not taken off my clothes. Anyways I briefly touched his back and then I requested him to leave. While he was going, he grabbed and pressed my penis with my pajamas on. There was 2-3 minutes delay when he touched his penis and then grabbed my penis with pajamas on.

1- Now, reading here I know HIV can not pass through clothing even it becomes wet and come in contact with susceptible cells. I wonder what is bases of this, is there a study done or scientific paper for HIV transmission through clothes.

2- What are susceptible parts in circumcised penis. Is tip of penis susceptible (mucous membrane) to HIV in circumcised male? If tip is not susceptible, then HIV has to get into opening/hole of penis of circumcised male?

3- Is 2-3 minute delay is enough for HIV fluid becoming non-infectious. I read different numbers on the internet. From seconds to hours. What is the correct number.

thank you for your help.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

29 months ago

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your confidence in our service. I'll be glad to comment. As you have already learned, the encounter you describe did not put you at risk for any STI, including HIV. There is no need for testing and no need for concern. On this, all major public health agencies, the CDC, the WHO, etc. are in agreement. Further, let me note that you do not know your partner's HIV status. Statistically, he was not infected- most people are not. With that, let me address your specific questions:

This statement of fact is based on both scientific observation and experience. There has NEVER been a case of HIV proven to have been acquired through clothing, even with the clothing is wet with genital secretions. Scientifically, we know that pathogens (bacteria and viruses) tend to stick to the fibers of clothing, keeping them from passing through the material. Further, to cause infection, pathogens such as HIV and the most common bacteria causing STIs must actually get into mucosal surfaces, something that does not happen with surface contamination with wet clothing.

HIV must get into the mucosal surface (lining) of the penis or enter through an abrasion or infection. Uncircumcised men are more likely to experience abrasions during sex.

3- Is 2-3 minute delay is enough for HIV fluid becoming non-infectious. I read different numbers on the internet. From seconds to hours. What is the correct number.

The FACT is that through the sort of encounter you describe, there has NEVER been a case of HIV proven to be acquired despite tens of millions of experiences. You can assume thaany genital secretions you came into contact became immediately non-infections.

Please don't worry. EWH

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29 months ago

Hi Dr Hook,

Thank you very much, and I can’t explain how much your answers helped me getting back on track.

Just a few follow up and put this behind.

I read about lambskin condoms which does not prevent HIV. How infectious fluid passed through lambskin can cause the HIV but not the fluid passed through Fabric?

I am always confused with mucous membrane; is this membrane always moist/wet one? In circumcised male, penis tip is not the one that is susceptible, but it is urethra (duct for urination) is susceptible?

Again, thank you very much.

29 months ago

I was reading forum and found Dr. Handfield advice changed from no risk to little risk in case of known HIV case. Could you please help with this.

[Question #9693] Dating partner Living with HIV

“HIV is not transmitted by kissing or by hand-genital contact, so there was little if any risk.”

“I would further advise that you cease any and all sex (including kissing and hand-genital contact) until he has been started on treatment with anti-HIV drugs, and testing documents he no longer has HIV detectable in his blood. ”

Edward W. Hook M.D.

29 months ago

The data on lambskin condoms is theoretical. Lambskin condoms do have microscopic pores which appear to be larger than the HIV virus so that the virus, in theory, could pass through the condoms. Most experts agree however that while latex condoms provide a better barrier to the passage of the virus than lambskin, that lambskin condoms do reduce the likelihood of HIV somewhat.

Mucous membrane are thin, moist surfaces such as are found on the inside of the urethra or the rectum. The exterior skin is not a mucous membrane, even in uncircumcized men.

Dr. Handsfield was being particularly cautious for client given his known and likely ongoing relationship with a person who had relatively recently acquired HIV. If you read further in the same thread, you'll see that Dr. Handsfield reaffirms that HIV is not known to be transmitted through kissing despite the millions if not billions of kissing exposures. In science we can never say never as extraordinarily rare events do occur - such as persons being struck by meteorites falling from space; thus, while we can confidently say that this has not been observed, statistically at may have or could happen at some time. Nonetheless, it is so rare as to be safely called a zero risk event (further, remember that in your case, you do not even know that your partner had HIV- most people do not).

Please don't worry. EWH

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29 months ago

Hi Dr.

Thank you very much for your advice. I have been thinking about this incident last few days and came to conclusion that it was social meetup rather than sexual episode due to what happened in the meeting. Just wonder if you agree with my thoughts, as other person started to masturbate like 10 seconds and his penile started to erect I asked to stop. The 10 seconds time is not enough to stimulate the pre-cum and truly I do not think he pre- cumed, even if pre-cum, the amount should have been very less; few drops that can’t pass through my pajamas (little thick fabric not cotton).

After that we hugged and did some touching while clothes on; he grabbed my penile while I was wearing pajamas, and left. It seems like it was just a social contact due to the activity we did. Do you agree with this?

Again thank you for your time and advice.

29 months ago

I also had a cough around 10 days which settles down next day

29 months ago

Hi Dr. if you like you can skip the question i asked, i understand they are anxiety driven and repetitive and somewhat foolish:). Thats being said i am glad i am able to get the advice one of top expert in the field.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

29 months ago

Clearly the event you describe has been on your mind. I’ll go on and comment in the hopes that my comments will help you to move forward. You were an observer here, at no risk whatsoever. Indeed, even if this person had untreated HIV ( unlikely), and even if you got some of his genital secretions on you, the event would have still posed no risk to you. The contact was a purely social, no risk event.

Also, FYI, cough is not a sign of recently acquired HIV.

Please don’t worry. EWH

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