Transmission

Can HIV be tranmitted through slight vaginal fluids? I recently had an encounter with a girl, who although is not a full time sex worker, agreed to have sex for an amount. I did not go ahead with sex, but we were both completely naked and she was quite wet in the vaginal area. Although intentionally i did not rub her vagina, I might accidentally have touched it with my penis. What are the chances of HIV transmission through this method?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It is unlikely that your partner had HIV, even if she did take money for sexual contact.  HIV is a rare problem, even for commercial sex workers.

Even if she was infected however, the sort of exposure that you describe does not lead to transmission of HIV.  simple contact of skin, including the skin of the penis does not lead to HIV transmission. Sexual transmission of HIV only occurs with penetration.  Thus there was no risk of infection from the sort of exposure you describe.  Thus there is no reason for concern and no testing is needed.

EWH