Expert: Terry B - 8/25/2006

Question
My sex partner of unknown HIV status splattered semen all over my arm.  I washed it off in minutues with soap and water.  No obvious cuts or abrasions.  Should I be worried

Answer
The duration of your exposure and probability of sufficent protection by intact skin suggests very low probability of infection.  

There is a way of weighing risk that I repeat often, please excuse if you've gone through previous postings, but I repeat it for your use and that of others.

Factors in Exposure (encounter with potentially HIV infected fluids) becoming Transmission (actually becoming infected)
1.  Type of fluid:  Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk are those that contain enough HIV to infect another in 'non-medical' settings.
2.  Concentration of the virus in the fluid:  Early infection and late stage disease produce the highest concentration of virus in these fluids.
3.  Route:  Intact skin and mucous membranes are the body's barriers to most infections; breaks in these (cuts, lesions, other infections such as STDs) raise risk of infection.
4.  Duration and area:  How long you are exposed to these fluids and how much (area) surface is exposed - persons who are receptive in the sexual act are at greater risk, as are uncircumsized men.
5.  Frequency:  How often the exposures occur

I hope this helps with your current question and lends you a model to assess your risk - and hopefully reduce same in the future.

Sincerely,

Terry