Expert: Terry B - 2/17/2009

Question
Hi terry. I am a gay man and knowing the risk of contracting HIV through anal and oral sex, I dont engage in both with strangers (people whom I encounter in sauna or massage parlour). My questions are as follow:

a) I had handjobs with a guy I met in a gay sauna. I jerked him off and had some of his cum on my hand. I washed my hand with soap afterwards. Then I remembered there was a cut on my hand, which was about 2 days old but not bleeding. Am i at risk?

I have been thinking of getting a test. I heard it would be at least 6 months after which the HIV antibody would show, right? Do you recommend a test?  

Answer
Dear Tan:

Peace.  Thanks for your question.  I am glad you have modified your activity to reduce risk, and referencing www.thebody.com and, if you have interest, more extensive research can be found at www.cdc.gov and www.unaids.org.   

To be helpful, all in all your risk is very low for HIV in what you describe.  In answer to a question long ago, I did some reading about skin and how it heals; and as you can guess, it's a continuum but if there's no infection, the body produces some pretty good barriers fairly quickly.  If the wound isn't bleeding or seeping, it provides some barrier.  Be aware also, however, that friction and movement can tear the healing skin.  Also, while HIV is not easily transmitted, other infections, including Hepatitis and Herpes, are more easily passed from person to person.

In assessing risk, I look at the frequency, duration, and area across which the exposure occurs, among other factors.  I don't see you exposed to large amounts of fluid for a long time.

So... testing for sexually transmitted infections, among them HIV, is probably a good idea, especially if you haven't had one in the last six months or so.  Whether it is especially helpful from your latest incident is uncertain, as with HIV antibody testing, a six week wait seems to produce reasonable if not scientifically certain.  In any case, knowing your health status places you in greater charge of your health and gives you knowledge, versus speculation.

I hope this was helpful, and wish you and yours the very best.

Terry