Expert: Terry B - 6/26/2007

Question
Hi Terry,

I am feeling very tense from my actions and I hope you can answer some of
my questions below.

I had 3 sexual encounter with a mongolian girl in China of unknown HIV
status for 3 consecutive days but the incident below only happen the first
time. The later 2 occasions I had used a condom with a lot of french kissing

While petting and kissing, I had mildly penetrated the vagina (not deep) very
briefly /momentarily (less than 10 seconds) due to the heat of passion and I
felt some wetness. But we had intercourse with a condom on and had
ejaculated inside her with the condom. And we french kiss a lot. I might have
a very mild tear on the foreskin (or maybe just a vague scar from a previous
tear long ago). However, there was no pain when i wash my foreskin.

I understand that infection depends on the Route, Frequency, Amount, Area,
Duration, Concentation.

1) Could you advise me on the riskiness of the above activity with regards to
the transmission and infection possibility (to a mild tear foreskin / healed
torn foreskin scar).

2) Could you kindly educate me as to the infectiousness of vaginal secretions
with regards to blood and semen. From the other posting,  I had read that,
generally, the amount of vaginal secretions have to be significant for it to
infect effectively.

3) The reliability of the Abbot Rapid HIV 1/2 technique

Many thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Aka Aka:

Peace and all good things.  First let me thank you for reading the postings regarding the factors which impact the chances of an exposure becoming an infection.

Using those factors, the above activity is of some significant risk because you are exposed to vaginal secretions - the presence or concentration of HIV in those fluids is unknown.  

1) Scar tissue is generally thicker but less elastic and flexible, on the other hand, circumcision reduces the area exposed; using a condom helps reduce your risk of HIV transmission but leaves you at some risk, especially for other diseases more easily transmitted than HIV.
2) Vaginal secretions are usually indicative of arousal in your woman partner- if you are indeed passionate and concerned about her pleasure, they should be present and reduce her risk somewhat by decreasing the amount of friction.  If she is recently infected or in late stage disease, the concentration could be high.
3) While I am loathe to seem to endorse a specific product from a specific company, my past research into the product you name suggests it is currently quite reliable.

I hope this helps... there is really no substitute for simply finding a counseling and testing center or visiting a health provider you know and trust.  

All good things to you - be tested, know your status, reduce your risk, and love well and responsibly.

Again, thank you for asking.

Terry