AboutTerry B Expertise Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice
Experience Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.
Organizations Disabled American Veterans
American Public Health Association
MENSA
AA
Publications Human Variety, EC Sociological Society
Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa
"HIV and Primary Care"
Education/Credentials BS Psychology
MPH Master of Public Health
PhD studies underway
Awards and Honors Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction
Expert: Terry B Date: 8/18/2008 Subject: HIV hangnail fingering prostitute
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.
