STD risk from fingering with cut

[ncmatt]

Hi, I was recently fingering a girl and then noticed the next day that I had a cut at the base of my fingernail.  The cut is not new and is not bleeding, but there is some redness around it.  What is the likelihood that I could have contracted an STD from this encounter and which STD's are possible to contract in this manner?  Also, should I go get tested?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There have been rare case reports of gonorrhea acquired by exposure of cuts on the fingers, and there undoubtedly is a small risk of herpes.  These risks are miniscule, however.  In either case, if you don't get an obvious infection at the site of the cut (swelling, redness, pus) within a week, you can be sure nothing happened.  If the cut were very fresh at the time of the exposure, there might be a theoretical risk of hepatitis B.  There is no known risk of HIV, in case that is on your mind.  I do not recommend you be tested for anything.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Willl]

I am glad you asked this. I don't think anyone has ever been proven to have gotten HIV from fingering with a cut, I am thinking this is what you are really concerned about. There is not much of the virus contained in vaginal fluid. A twist on this might be if there was menstrual blood present and how much this would increase the risk. Assuming your finger was not open and bleeding at the time, I have read that a scab is a good barrier in keeping HIV out of the body (I don't know if it is considered as good as perfectly healthy skin). I think there are also certain cells that are required to be present at the exposure location in order for HIV to establish an infection (dendritic?) in your body, which I do not believe are in large quantity in your fingers.

I am very interested in what the Dr. is going to say, I hope he will say no risk or the risk is only theoretical and testing is not required.

[Willl]

Even if his cut were open and there was some direct blood to blood contact, would you still consider HIV to be a no risk?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Maybe some small risk, but I doubt very many people with new, fresh cuts on their fingers go straight from the injury to sticking the finger where the sun don't shine.

HHH, MD

[justwondering8]

I would like to know what the bottom line is on testing. If you finger a vagina and you weren't aware of any cuts on your hands (meaning there could have been one, but not a fresh one) would you still need test/recommend testing? OR should you just get on with your life instead of being filled with anxiety about the test.

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