possible HIV exposure

[posdenous]

I recently had protected vaginal intercourse with a SW. I do not believe the condom broke, however the SW did lube herself up with baby oil right before insertion, so the chance that it did worries me. I have read that oil based lubricants and condoms do not go well. I am not sure if the SW was HIV+ but in the event that she was, what are the chances that the lubricant would have weakened the condom to the point of breakage and what are the chances I would have been infected? The lubricant was put on her vagina, not placed directly on the condom. Should I go and get tested?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You can relax.  There is no significant risk here.  Oil can weaken latex, increasing the chance a condom will break.  It does not cause microscopic leaks.  If the condom doesn't rupture, the use of oil as lubricant does not raise the chance of infection with HIV or other STDs.  Also, in the US and other industrialized countries, the large majority of commercial sex workers are not infected with HIV.

As a sexually active person outside a mutually committed monogamous relationship, you should have routine HIV and STD testing from time to time, like once a year.  If you haven't been tested recently, this woud be a good time, since it is on your mind.  If you have been tested in the past year, wait until 12 months have gone by, then do it again.  But no testing is required on account of this particular exposure.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Why ask about something that obviously didn't happen?  It's a useless waste of mental energy.  Please let it go.  You weren't at risk.  Feel free to read the innumerable other threads about the risks of transmission.

[posdenous]

Thanks Doctor Handsfield for the information. One more question. If the condom did in fact break with out me knowing, what are the chances that I would have contracted the virus?