fingering risk

dear docs

i met a random girl at a club she is latin in LA . age around 26 . she invited me to her room we started to fool around
and i fingerd her vagina which was wet ( vaginal fluid?!) we didn't have sex
after that i saw my finger and there was  small cut in the finger ..where  the nail starts ..its not active bleeding .but i can see scabes . i pressed on it ..didnt see blood coming out but i can see the scarves in a cut which look kinda deep

i asked her if she had any tests she said a year ago which was -ve
but i don't know if i should believe her

am i at risk ? should i do a Test ? I'm loosing sleep

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

There are a number of reasons that you should not be at all concerned about catching HIV from this event.  First, fingering or any other kind of hand-genital contact has never been known to transmit the virus.  Second, although in theory a cut would increase the risk, the only wounds ever known to transmit HIV are those caused by HIV-contaminated sharp instruments.  A fresh, bleeding cut might be a risk, but one that is no longer bleeding and has started to heal -- even an hour or two -- carries little or no risk, even if exposed to HIV.  Third, it is statistically very unlikely your partner had HIV -- both on general grounds (HIV remains rare in heterosexual women in most areas of the US, including So. California) and because people rarely lie about HIV status when asked directly, so it is particularly unlikely your partner was infected.

Should you have an HIV test?  If this is your only potential exposure, you definitely do not need testing based on risk assessment.  However, many people who are nervous about possible exposures should be tested anyway, for the psycological benefit of a negative test result.  In other words, if my words don't resolve your concerns, get tested.  And all persons sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships should be tested from time to time, like once a year -- so maybe this is a good time for you to do it.  But not at all because of this particular event.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes-- HHH, MD

[fingering99]

i did test on the next day which was -ve
but i know it doesn't cover this incident .

its been 2 months now . and still thinking about it .
i don't know what to do

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

What do you mean "I don't know what to do"???  You have two choices, and they aren't very complicated.  First, you could accept my judgment, forget about the entire incident, and move on with your life.  Second, you could have an HIV test.  If you have had no other risky exposures, it will be negative.  And THEN you could forget about the entire incident, and move on with your life.

I will have no further comments or advice until and unless you are tested and report the result.