Expert: Terry B - 4/16/2008

Question
On a recent trip, I was with a woman. I dont know if she has aids or not, we did not have penetrative sex. I was fingering her and masturbating. When I got up to wash myself, I may have touched my penis with the hand with which I was fingering her. I dont really remember whether I had already washed my hand before doing so or not. She was also masturbating me for some time. What are the chances of an infection in this case?

Answer
Dear Samuel:

Peace.  I know it sometimes takes a bit of courage to ask a sensitive question, and you might feel your situation unique.  If you go through this forum, however, and/or to www.thebody.com and www.avert.org, you will find information to answer this and other questions that might arise about HIV transmission.

Specifically, what you describe is one exposure to the vaginal secretions of a person of unknown HIV status.  That exposure was on your fingers/hand, and some of the fluids may have been transferred to the skin of your penis.  While there is some potential risk, this one exposure, the relative thickness of the skin on your hand and fingers, and the minute amount you might have transferred to your penis and/or mucous membranes would suggest your risk of HIV transmission is very low.

For your own peace of mind, you might want to be tested for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, which would give you opportunity to speak first hand to a counselor about this and other potential risks, allowing you confirmed  knowledge about your own health and strategies for reducing or eliminating your risk in the future.

The best to you and yours, happy reading, and a very good life.

Terry