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Hand Genital Contact: Always no risk?
Doc,
I am a heteromale with genital herpes. I am worried about HIV risk.
As far as herpes goes, Ive only had 1 or 2 blatant outbreaks and even that(those) where relatively tame. I haven't even established for certain if I have HSV 1 or HSV 2.
Ever since my outbreak, which was years ago, I have been very careful with my sex life both for me and for any of my potential partner. I always inform them that I have HSV and I woul never do anything sexual if I was having an outbreak. Of course, i always use condoms for sex.
Recently I engaged in mutual masturbation with a woman I have been dating. She told me that she does not use condoms yesterday and that is what has left me worried. I know she has had sex (and from what she has told me, probably unprotected) with many men.
The incident I am worried about is this: She masturbated herself using both hands and also masturbated me using both of her hands. As a result I am certain that some of her vaginal secretions got on my penis. I know this is a low risk but I am not sure if my HSV warrants getting tested for HIV. I did not have any blatant blisters that I saw but this happened some time ago and I can't be sure because I didn't inspect my penis closely. Assuming the worst, that I did have an outbreak of blisters, that she did have HIV and that I did get her vaginal secretions on my penis, is the risk still so low that I do not need to be worried about this?
I am a heteromale with genital herpes. I am worried about HIV risk.
As far as herpes goes, Ive only had 1 or 2 blatant outbreaks and even that(those) where relatively tame. I haven't even established for certain if I have HSV 1 or HSV 2.
Ever since my outbreak, which was years ago, I have been very careful with my sex life both for me and for any of my potential partner. I always inform them that I have HSV and I woul never do anything sexual if I was having an outbreak. Of course, i always use condoms for sex.
Recently I engaged in mutual masturbation with a woman I have been dating. She told me that she does not use condoms yesterday and that is what has left me worried. I know she has had sex (and from what she has told me, probably unprotected) with many men.
The incident I am worried about is this: She masturbated herself using both hands and also masturbated me using both of her hands. As a result I am certain that some of her vaginal secretions got on my penis. I know this is a low risk but I am not sure if my HSV warrants getting tested for HIV. I did not have any blatant blisters that I saw but this happened some time ago and I can't be sure because I didn't inspect my penis closely. Assuming the worst, that I did have an outbreak of blisters, that she did have HIV and that I did get her vaginal secretions on my penis, is the risk still so low that I do not need to be worried about this?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, the cut on your finger did not put you at risk for HIV. The healing process with such things occurs almost immediately and is a barrier to HIV transmission. Further, HIV transmission just does not happen with the sorts of surface contamination you describe. No need for worry. EWH
My question is if I am at risk because I got her vaginal secretions on a small, healing cut that happened hours before but may have been re-opened in the shower (I didn't check and see)
Thanks, Dr. Hook, I really appreciate your comments. I am going to take your advice and get a HSV blood test done to determine my situation. What a pleasant surprise it would be if it turns out that I have genital HSV-1 instead of HSV-2!
In regard to talking to my female partner, you are dead on and this is the first time I haven't been much more demanding. In fact, I usually ask that my partners get fresh tests. Perhaps this is overboard but I want my bases to be covered.
The fact that I let myself slip with this last woman, what I mean is by not discussing with her how important sexual health is to me, has amplified my concern. I wanted to make sure of my safety about one other thing. The day of the incident I mentioned in my initial post (mutual masturbation) I had cut myself on a piece of metal right above my fingernail. In fact, unless I told you differently you would think it was a particularly nasty hangnail. That was hours before she came over and the mutual masturbation took place though. But I did take a shower and I was wondering if a shower would remove the scab? Or if scab or no scab a small cut on my finger poses any risk.
Thanks again for this great service.
In regard to talking to my female partner, you are dead on and this is the first time I haven't been much more demanding. In fact, I usually ask that my partners get fresh tests. Perhaps this is overboard but I want my bases to be covered.
The fact that I let myself slip with this last woman, what I mean is by not discussing with her how important sexual health is to me, has amplified my concern. I wanted to make sure of my safety about one other thing. The day of the incident I mentioned in my initial post (mutual masturbation) I had cut myself on a piece of metal right above my fingernail. In fact, unless I told you differently you would think it was a particularly nasty hangnail. That was hours before she came over and the mutual masturbation took place though. But I did take a shower and I was wondering if a shower would remove the scab? Or if scab or no scab a small cut on my finger poses any risk.
Thanks again for this great service.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
HIV is not transmitted through masturbation or hand to genital transmission, even when partners get each other’s genital secretion on each other. For starters the probability that your partner has HIV is miniscule but, even if she does, your genital herpes does not translate a no risk exposure into a risky exposure. You have nothing to worry about an have no need for testing.
Several other comments. I congratulate you in informing partners of your diagnosis of herpes. I would suggest however that it might be a good thing for you to have serological (blood) test for HSV with a type-specific blood test such as the HerpeSelect. The reasons for this has to do with your interactions with partners. For instance, if your GH is due to HSV-1 and your partner has cold sores, then there is no risk of transmission.
Finally , I am a bit surprised to hear that while you are forthright about your herpes diagnosis, you haven't spoke with your partner about HIV and other STDs. It seems as though it might be a logical thing to do.
Take care. EWH
Several other comments. I congratulate you in informing partners of your diagnosis of herpes. I would suggest however that it might be a good thing for you to have serological (blood) test for HSV with a type-specific blood test such as the HerpeSelect. The reasons for this has to do with your interactions with partners. For instance, if your GH is due to HSV-1 and your partner has cold sores, then there is no risk of transmission.
Finally , I am a bit surprised to hear that while you are forthright about your herpes diagnosis, you haven't spoke with your partner about HIV and other STDs. It seems as though it might be a logical thing to do.
Take care. EWH
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