Expert: Terry B - 10/22/2008

Question
i had small scratches [slightly deep & due to some infection] on my penis from where fresh red skin being formed was visible.there was of course no bleeding from the wounds though. i had intercourse with a woman using condoms. but my condom broke inside her. i immediately removed my penis & wiped it off with cloth within 10 seconds or so. i used another condom & it too broke off & i wiped of my penis again within 10 seconds or so. then i stopped doing her.

what are my chances of getting HIV if the woman were infected?

i masturbated myself with the condom on my penis & some of her stuff must be on my hands but it dried up before i removed my condom & then masturbated.
can HIV survive in dry air/ dry surfaces ,like on my dried hands?

i am thinking of getting a RNA PCR [NAT]test done about 20 days after the suspected exposure. how accurate will the result be? i know the risk of false positive[10%] is high & the test is expensive [i can afford it.]but i am too anxious to wait even 1 month.

Answer
Dear Concerned:

Peace.  

1) If your condoms keep breaking I suspect either faulty condoms or use of an oil-based lubricant - which will make them break.  Use water-based lube only.
2) Your risk with a broken condom, as you describe, is relatively low if you withdraw as soon as it breaks.  The greater risk is to your receptive partners if you ejaculate and the condom breaks or slips off.  It's about the amount and duration of exposure to infectious fluids.
3) HIV can 'survive' any time it is in fluid - intact blood cells or semen that contains the virus.  The amount on your dried hands is probably so small as to not pose a great risk.
4) Testing 20 days after the exposure by PCR is probably reliable, but beware about a 10% chance of false positives - a result that will indicate possible presence of HIV when none exists.  The test will exclude your HIV status if negative, but not prove it if you are positive.  See www.thebody.com or www.avert.org for more detailed information on testing.

Hope that helps, best to you and yours.

Terry