Semen on Tissue Paper

[Jezzac]

I was in Amsterdam at a strip show . I was in a private cubicle watching the stripper through a window. I was masturbating and when I came I used the tissue paper in a roll attached to the wall. I held the tissue against the end of my penis and wiped it clean. My concern is what if the person before had used the tissue paper but had not disposed of it? And then I put my penis in it?  Would I be at risk of hiv ?   I don't think the tissue was damp but what if it was?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  There is no risk to you of getting HIV even in the unlikely event that someone there before you had HIV and had contaminated the toilet paper you used with HIV contaminated secretions.  There are several reasons for this.  One reason is that HIV dies quickly on exposure to the environment and thus would be non-infectious before you contacted the paper.  In addition, the bacteria tend to "stick" to the fibers in absorbent paper or cloth and thus could not be transferred to you in the manner you describe.  

My advice is to suggest to you that you not worry about any risk from the events you describe.  There is no need for testing either.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I am not sure what this question even means.  If the virus is dying or stuck to the paper fibers, that obviously means there is less virus present.  EWH

[Jezzac]

finally...would I be correct t say another reason would be that sufficient quantities of the virus would also need to be present to run any risk of infection?...this is my final question I promise...

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The effect of the environemnt of HIV is almost immediate.  Take care.  EWH

[Jezzac]

Sorry one last question...how quickly is quickly when you say it dies on exposure to the environment?

[Jezzac]

Thankyou dr