HIV risk assessment

[onchest1]

Dr

Following the scenario in my last post, a similar situation has since occurred for which I would be grateful to learn your opinion. Yesterday, I was masturbating next to a guy who was doing the same (in a steam room). He reached over and played with my nipple and he did not ejaculate.

Afterwards I showered and dried myself with a towel. It was then I noticed on my chest an old small scab from a spot that had come off. On tissue paper, I noticed very faint specs of blood. This abrasion was almost in the centre of my chest and I do not believe the other man touched it. It is possible I did so myself in the shower or with my towel.

However, the doubt remains, and I am afraid that if he did touch it, he might have had precum on his fingers as he had been masturbating.

The CDC advises: "HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host. "

My chief concern pertains to the fact that I noticed tiny specs of blood on the tissue. If he had touched it, and he did have precum on his finger, what then?

Does the CDC advice apply in my case? Am I therefore worrying about nothing or is the a serous level of risk?
Should I consider PEP or testing in the event that he did touch this abrasion?
Would the right cells be present under the broken scab to cause infection?
And has anyone else been infected in this way?

Apologies for the many questions but your advice and opinion would be appreciated,

Many thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Take care.   EWH

[onchest1]

Thank you for your clarification and reassurance. I suspect I have a paranoia problem with this issue that I will need to deal with. Happy New Year.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The blood you saw was yours, not the other person's and was moving out of your body.  This is not a situation in which infection would be introduced INTO your body.  EWH

[onchest1]

Thank you Doctor, that is reassuring. Could you please clarify for me your comment: 'The blood you saw from dislodging the scab (no matter who did it) does not change the fact that the area on your chest was sealed off.' I would like to know how it could be sealed off if I saw flecks of blood?
Many thanks again

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to our Forum.  Indeed, the CDC advice does hold in your case- the events you describe carry no risk for transmission of HIV or any other STD.  The blood you saw from dislodging the scab (no matter who did it) does not change the fact that the area on your chest was sealed off and even if the other person had HIV (unlikely), and even if he did touch you (also unlikely),and even if he did have pre-ejaculatory fluid on his hand, the virus would still not be viable and would not have caused infection.  You have no reason to worry and certainly no reason to consider PEP which is recommended only for persons with known sexual or needle exposures to untreated, infected partners.  Similarly, there is no reason for testing related to this event (I won't call it an exposure).

I hope this comment is reassuring- please do not worry.  EWH