deep anxiety over possible risk

[mwk92681]

I did something really, really stupid about a week ago. I have been celibate for a long time up until recently when I met a man who told me he is HIV negative. He is half Japanese-Okinawan ancestry from Hawaii.

We masturbated each other and I performed oral sex on him for a little while. Next, I laid on the floor and he continued to masturbate to the side of me. When he ejaculated, it landed just adjacent to my left eye. I did not feel anything get in my eye, but he told me not to move because he said "it is close" and he took his finger and wiped the ejaculate off of my left cheek near my eye. He also took another finger (I did not see which one) and told me to close my eye and he wiped around it where it had been watery from my gag reflex during oral.  I did not feel any ejaculate get into my eye, but I am wondering if he could have exposed me to HIV or HTLV since he used a finger to wipe around my eye while it was closed. He told me he is 4th generation born in Hawaii. I know that HIV and HTLV are both retroviruses with weak/fragile outer linings that die quickly when exposed to air. I am hoping I have no risk or very low risk for both. I have been terrified for over a week about getting HIV or HTLV. The anxiety is driving me insane.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Please do not worry about the event that you describe. The sort of possible exposure that you describe does not put you at risk for HIV.  As you know, your partner may or may not have HIV but, statistically it is unlikely, particularly because is said he was not infected and most people do tell the truth.  Even in the unlikely circumstance that he was infected however, neither ingestion of his ejaculate if some got into your mouth, or the introduction into your eye as he wiped your eye, represents a meaningful risk for HIV. There are no instances reported where such an exposure has led to infection and judging from the fact that we get at least one or two questions similar to yours each week, if it had occurred, you would be aware of this.  

I would  not worry and see no reason for testing related to this event.  I hope my comments are helpful to you. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes. this result is conclusive.  No need for further testing or concern. EWH

[mwk92681]

I tested negative for HIV and HTLV at 59 days. Would this be conclusive, in your opinion?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Stlll no change in my assessment.  EWH

[mwk92681]

At one point during the oral sex encounter, he pushed his penis to the back of my throat to the point where it hurt and caused me to gag. It hurt for a little while afterward and I was wondering if this pain increased my risk in any way?

I apologize for bugging you but I just remembered this...

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The presence of a cut, even a more recent on than you mention, would not change my assessment or advice.  EWH

[mwk92681]

One last question...sorry (I swear) would your advice to not worry still apply if I had a 2-day old cut on my lip?

[mwk92681]

Thank you for your help and expertise, sir!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes it would also apply to HTLV which is even more rare than HIV.  EWH

[mwk92681]

Dr. Hook,

Thank You for your reply. Would this apply to HTLV also, since it is a retrovirus too? I am very concerned about that.