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Avatar universal

Exposure Vaginal Secretions No Penetration

Doctors: I first want to thank you for considering my question. I am in a significant amount of distress and need some information.

It starts with lap dances that went too far. The head of my penis was exposed. The dancer had slid her thong/panties to the side and I briefly felt wettness and moisture. I am certain there was no penetration. When I felt the moisture and realized what was happening I adjusted my position so that I was no longer exposed.

The next day I realized there was an abrasion on the head of my penis likely from the vigorous lap dances. I was feeling very guilty on a number of levels as I am a husband/father. I added FEAR to the guilt and my head has been fiiled with a scary narrative for the last few days

I need some straight forward information and advice

1. Please tell me about my risk of HIV from the grinding with the head of my peins exposed to vaginal secretions and no penetration. The period of exposure was less than 10 seconds;

2. Please tell me about the additional HIV risk from the abrasion on the head of my penis;

3. When and how often should I test;

4. Please let me know if should ask my wife to get tested;

5. Please let me know if I should refrain from sexual activity with my wife

I acknoledge that I am feeling very emotional and scared. I need information and facts. Thanks



13 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Last time, this is not HIV. further, repetitive questions will be deleted.  PErhaps you should see a dermatologist.  Good luck.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dr Hook:

I am so confused. I took your advice and decided to move forward. I really want to accept no risk. Unfortunately I can't seem to ignore the symptoms I continue to experience. I still have the itchy scalp which is most intense when I exercise and sweat. I now have developed a "razor burn" type rash under my right jaw line. It is red and it burns/itches. I am calling this SD and my fear has returned. Perhaps this is the type of skin rash I have experienced in the past and I am noticing it now giving it meaning. This would be so if the no penetration no risk analysis holds. I would like to know if it is safe to assume these aren't symptoms of HIV and continue with my efforts to move forward. Thanks
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are correct.  You encounter was no risk.  The SD is irrelevant.  time for you to forget about this exposure and move forward.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This will be my last question in this thread as I think continued "what if" type comments on my part are counter productive.

I am slightly confused by your last answer. I think you are saying that the potential presence of SD doesn't change the no risk analysis. I think you are saying that regardless of whether the itchy scalp is SD it remains your opinion that no penetration no risk even if there was an abrasion.  Kindly let me know if this assumption is correct.

It is my plan to attempt to leave the fear behind and move forward. If I am unable I always have the option of contacting my doctor at the 3 month mark for a test. I again thank you for taking the time to respond to my concerns
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Seborrheic dermatitis is a very common problem among persons with and without HIV. The you have SD does not have any bearing as to whether you have HIV.  Do not think that because you have SD, you need to be worried that you have HIV.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I really thought I was done with this, however, fear and uncertainty have a way of returning.

The problem is I continue with on and off (much more on) itchy scalp issues. I researched the symptom amd self diagnosed seborrhea dermatitis. I read many articles discussing a link between SD and HIV. I don't know if this means as a primary/early symptom of infection or something else. In any event I have enough information to fuel the fear when I notice an itch on my head or face. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

I would like to know if I should be concerned given my low risk or perhaps no risk exposure. If I didn't have a risk with no penetration it would be wrong to call this a 'symptom' and I can stop paying attention to every itch on my head and face. I appreciate it if Dr Hook would address my currnet "symptom' and whether it is an early indicator of potential infection
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dr Hook:

I wanted to let you know that I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my follow up question. I am sure you are very busy and I thank you for the consideration

It is almost funny the way my own internal voice seems to be looking for someone or something to confirm that I am at risk. Your voice of medical information is an important balance. The task for me is to accpet your medical information and stop listening to the internal voice of fear and anxiety. This same internal voice seems to fuel the search for symptoms.

I prefer to read the medical information you provide and use it to move forward
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
My answer stands. Itchy scalp is not a sign of HIV.  Yor risk remains zero.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It means you should look into changing your shampoo. Sorry to be flippant:)

Follow (reread) the doctor's advice: wait one more week, get tested, and collect your negative result so you can put this behind you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have one additional follow up question. I am now, 3 weeks post event, I am experiencing very itchy scalp. I would like to know ifthis symptom combined with the fact that I had an abrasion on my penis at the time of exposure means I should test. Thanks
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your assumption is correct.  Please remember that with masturbation, mutual or otherwise, genital secretions do come in contact with the person involved.  

Sorry about my choice of wording.  Having said that you are at essentially no risk, I should have pointed out that your wife's risk is lower still, i.e. no risk as well.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I first thank you for the very prompt reply with such detailed factual information. I will also search the archives for similar questions and answers.

In the meantime, I request you allow this follow up to clarify something in your answer.

You initially describe my exposure as essentially masturbation and safe/no risk. I assume this is so even though I did feel wettness from her pelvic area. Kindly let me know if this assumption is accurate

My confusion is that after describing the event as essentially masturbation/no risk you then describe my wife as being at "low risk".  If I am essentially no risk from this event what is the basis for the low risk analysis

I realize that I am becoming anxious as I am starting to "notice" body symptoms. I appreciate the information regarding testing protocol should I decide to follow that route. Thanks
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We get many questions of this sort.  With a look at past posts you will find many of the same answers, perhaps stated with different words.  

Before I get to your specific questions, please realize that your concerns have as their basis that you believe the dancer you were exposed to had HIV when the fact is that there is at least a ten to one probability that she was not.  Most exotic dancers do not have HIV.  Now, on to your questions:

1.  Exposure to the surface of penile skin without vaginal penetration is essentially masturbation, whether she was using her pelvis or her hand.  With that in mind, I will remind you that masturbation is safe, no risk sex that does not require testing.
2.  Abrasions of the sort you describe occur al the time. While this could theoretically increase risk, there are NO scientific data to support this consideration.
3.  You have to decide about testing.  From a medical standpoint I do not think you need to be tested.  Experience tells me however that my reassurance will not help you as much as a negative HIV test.  Therefore, to address your anxiety you probably should get tested.  I would recommend that you get tested at 4-6 weeks following your exposure.  At 4 weeks, the result will reflect a time at which 85-90% of all tests that are going to become positive will be.  At 6 weeks, about 95% of tests that are going to be positive will be.  At either time point, once you have your negative test result, given the low risk nature of your exposure, you can take the result as an indication that you did not get HIV at the time you have asked about.
4.  See above.  As for your wife, you have to make that decision.  The decision is easy if she is aware of your exposure, more difficult if not.  Her risk is low but the decision is yours.
5.  Same answer as for no.4

Good luck.  EWH
Helpful - 0

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