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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
Vibrators, anal insertion risks
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is limited to prevention of HIV and to safe sex in general. If you believe you might have been exposed to HIV and want help to judge your risk, would like advice about HIV testing, or have questions about the effectiveness of condoms or the risks associated with specific sexual practices, this is the site for you.
IMPORTANT
No questions will be accepted on the treatment of HIV/AIDS or its complications, viral load, and similar topics. If you have questions about a specific STD other than HIV/AIDS, please visit the STD Forum. Questions that do not pertain to the above topics will be removed from the forum.
If you have not done so, please review other threads in our archives for questions similar to yours and Dr. Handsfield's replies. Questions that duplicate other frequent ones, for which abundant replies exist, and that have little educational value for other forum users, will be DELETED WITHOUT RESPONSE. YOUR PAYMENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. The most common examples of such questions are those about low risk exposures to HIV, such as oral sex, condom- protected intercourse hand-to-genital exposure, and nonsexual contact with possibly infected blood or body fluids as well as symptoms of early HIV infection.
No questions will be accepted on the treatment of HIV/AIDS or its complications, viral load, and similar topics. If you have questions about a specific STD other than HIV/AIDS, please visit the STD Forum. Questions that do not pertain to the above topics will be removed from the forum.
If you have not done so, please review other threads in our archives for questions similar to yours and Dr. Handsfield's replies. Questions that duplicate other frequent ones, for which abundant replies exist, and that have little educational value for other forum users, will be DELETED WITHOUT RESPONSE. YOUR PAYMENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. The most common examples of such questions are those about low risk exposures to HIV, such as oral sex, condom- protected intercourse hand-to-genital exposure, and nonsexual contact with possibly infected blood or body fluids as well as symptoms of early HIV infection.
Vibrators, anal insertion risks
by anotherdummy, Aug 17, 2006 12:00AM
Hi, I am a mid 30s male and have been with professional providers in massage parlour settings. I am wondering, I have had a vibrator inserted in my anus and fingers, not too often but the odd time. The vibrator only once. I am strictly hetero and never had MSM sex or used IV drugs. I have however used steroids but I have bought and used only my own needles for this. What are risks for exposure here with toys like this and fingers? Can hiv live outside the body ffor long(ie on a vibrator? Can HIV live in a steroid suspension fluid and be transmitted that way?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Aug 17, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 17, 2006 12:00AM
No STD or HIV is known to be regularly transmitted by fingering or by sex toys. Sex toy insertion could be a risk if used in rapid succession (several minutes, while secretions still were wet) between different individuals. In theory, ditto for fingers, for example in group sex situations. Sex toys and hands ought to be washed between partners, to reduce the already small risk to zero.
HIV can live outside the body only for brief periods, even up to a few hours. However, generally not in amounts that can cause infection, except perhaps by intravenous injection.
Is it theoretically possible you could catch HIV that way. Sure. It's also possible you'll get hit by a meterorite. Worry about the things that matter, not the ones that don't. As I have said repeatedly, safe sex means 1) selecting low risk partners and 2) using condoms for vaginal or anal sex outside committed relationships. That's it. All the rest is icing on the cake that doesn't make much difference in a person's risks.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
HIV can live outside the body only for brief periods, even up to a few hours. However, generally not in amounts that can cause infection, except perhaps by intravenous injection.
Is it theoretically possible you could catch HIV that way. Sure. It's also possible you'll get hit by a meterorite. Worry about the things that matter, not the ones that don't. As I have said repeatedly, safe sex means 1) selecting low risk partners and 2) using condoms for vaginal or anal sex outside committed relationships. That's it. All the rest is icing on the cake that doesn't make much difference in a person's risks.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
My knowledge and advice about HIV infected fluids in the environment have not changed.
HHH, MD
thanks