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AIDS/hiv through chapped/peeled finger?

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Expert: Terry B - 9/25/2006


Question
Greetings, i recently had a birthday party and we had a stripper over whom i "fingered" for about 5 seconds. When i woke up the next morning i noticed my finger was dry and a little bit of skin was peeling off but not bleeding just red. would i be at risk of getting hiv this way?

Answer
Dear Joe:

Peace.  Vaginal secretions are a fluid which, if the woman is HIV infected, may contain sufficient virus to infect another person.  The amount of fluid to which you are exposed and how long your exposure (in your example, how long the fluids are on your finger, not necessarily how long you 'fingered' her) are variables that you want to look at in assessing your risk.  The redness or peeling of the skin on your finger may have been present prior to the incident, or following same; without bleeding or clear break in the skin in what you describe, your risk seems relatively low.

Hope this helps.

Terry

AIDS

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Terry 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

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