Potential HIV exposure and questions about risks

[rue21]

Hello Doctors,

I always practice safe sex. I've never had sex without a condom. I've been tested before for all STIs and HIV... everything came back negative. However, recently I've found myself in need of new HIV testing from new encounters and worries. Here are my questions:

1. How well does HIV transmit through saliva? I've been told zero. The reason I ask is because I got a handjob and the girl used her spit as lubricant. If she is HIV+, how likely is HIV transmission? And what if there is blood in the saliva, does that increase the chance of transmission?

2. Mutual masturbation is considered safe sex, but if you get vaginal fluid on your hand and then masturbate yourself, doesn't that carry the HIV virus to you?

Do I need to get tested again? Should I be at all worried?

Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  The exposures you describe remain completely safe sex and do not indicate any need for concern or testing.  HIV is not transmitted through saliva and that a partner may have used her saliva as lubrication prior to oral sex does not carry any risk for you.  Similarly, it is typical for persons to get each other's genital secretions on one another during mutual masturbation yet on one has EVER gotten HIV from mutual masturbation.  Once again, no risk and no need for testing.  

Hope these comments are helpful to you. Take care.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The vast majority of inconclusive blood tests are actually negative upon further evaluation.  None of the activities you mention have risk for HIV.  Please do not worry.  You have not gotten HIV from the activities you describe.  EWH

[rue21]

Doctor, a follow up question:

I got an HIV blood test for peace of mind but the test came back inconclusive. I'm terrified about this. I have no idea what it means. Should I be worried? All I've done since my last HIV blood test was stuff that is considered safe sex, i.e. handjob with saliva lubrication, mutual masturbation. You told me in the above post that I had no risk, is there anything that could have made these activities a risk?