Expert: Terry B - 8/18/2008

Question
Hi recently I have a sexual relation with a prostitute. I used the condom all the time. I put my finger into her vagina sometimes. At the end of the relation, I noticed that I had a hangnail in my finger, It was redish, but it wasn't bleeding.And it stings a little when I put alcohol on it. Well I'am really worry, Can I contract HIV?? PLEASE HELP ME.

Answer
Dear Jorge:

Peace.  It sounds as though you have some risk if your skin is not intact, and only an examination (in person) could have determined that; so... being that you can't change what's already happened....

Your risk sounds low but you may possibly have been exposed to HIV; depending on where you live and to what testing you have access, the course of action I would recommend is that you protect yourself and others from blood, semen, vaginal secretions that might transmit infection for a six week period from the exposure, and be tested at that time to learn your status.  Please realize that such an exposure does NOT guarantee an infection, and knowing your status in six weeks should allow you to know and plan what course of action to take.  While I would suspect you were not infected, there are highly effective treatments for HIV today.

The best to you and yours,

Terry