Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 2/24/2004

Question
Hello again,

    I'm sorry if my last question was too complicated.Thanks for your answer; now I will ask what I maybe should in a first place, instead typing all I was thinking about.
   I would like to know will lubricant kill virus.I know that that for a long time opinion was that spermicide lubricant is best protection
against HIV.If condom accidentally breaks, it should stop transmission.Now it's known, because it is actually abrasive soap, it spreads holes
on penis thus increasing risk of transmission.
   I would like to know if water based lubricant, which is not spermicide, meaning usual lubricant on latex condoms, kills HIV.If not, how long HIV can live in this lubricant?

    Thank you very much.

Answer
No, lubricant does not kill the virus, however, I really do not know how long it can live in it. HIV will usually live in its transmitting fluid until the fluid is dry, and that is a conservative estimate. My guess would be that it would not live long in lubricant only because it does not live well outside the human body (not having anything to do with the lubricant), but I do not know for sure. Maybe you can try to CDC's website for more information: www.cdc.gov