Expert: John Thai, M.D. - 10/8/2007

Question
Hello:

My question is this. I am a gay man and I was at a gay bar recently when a freind introduced me to a friend, and after some flirtation, we posed for a picture together, and duringthe pic, the guy in question started licking my finger for only a brief second...then I licked my finger, looking all coy and flirtatious.

LAter on, my friend informed me that said man was HIV positive, and upon talking with the man, he said he was healthy and had no viral load in his blood etc etc., and I had no blood on my finger etc.

My problem arises in that I have exema and while I wasnt bleeding or anything, I do have cracked skin and such on my finger tips...there is redness on parts of them, but as stated, my finger wasnt bleeding. Aside from getting a test, I just wanted to ask a Doctor what his/her thoughts were, for I have heard both medical people and friends say "you have nothing to worry about", and "You know you cna have sex with an HIV poz person and not be infected..."

Thoughts?

Answer
Hi Nicholas,

There is no risks of exposure from him licking your fingers. As far as your eczema, try moisturizing it with Aveeno Eczema cream. Avoid lotions and body oils.

As far as your second statement, "You know you can have sex with an HIV poz person and not be infected..."

This is false. You can get infected by sleeping with an individual who is HIV positive if you are not careful. Anal sex increases your risks if you the receiver/bottom versus if you were top/giver.

Regards,

John Thai, MD