Re-post from STD

[ryry213]

I posted the following question in the wrong forum yesterday and got a response but was told I couldn't follow-up, but I had a follow-up so I'm posting here.  

(I engaged in mutual masturbation with another man and got a small amount of pre-ejaculate on my right hand. At least 10 minutes later (probably around 15 min later) I used that hand to pick a hangnail on my left It is possible the hangnail could've bled slightly, although if it did, it was an extremely small quantity of blood.  The pre-ejaculate on my right hand was out in the open air for 10-15 minutes before I used it to pick the hangnail on my other hand.)  

Since the response addressed mutual masturbation, I wanted to clarify one or two items because the response said that although HIV had never been transmitted from masturbation, I thought it left a theoretical risk out there.  

The pre-ejaculate on the right hand came from touching his damp underwear while he wore it and not the source itself.  So, I rubbed damp underwear, and then 10-15 min later, after driving home, picked a hangnail on my other hand with the hand that had been contact with the underwear.  I suppose at this time it's more of an environmental risk than a sexual one.  I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, but is indirect transmission from underwear and then another hand impossible after several min of air exposure?  I understand this uses up my forum privledges for 6 months,      

[Edward W Hook, MD]

My goodness, I can't believe you are asking this after reading my reply.   In science there is no such thing as absolute zero.  For a variety of mathematical reasons far too complex to go into here, all one can do with well conducted scientific studies is estimate probabilities.  By definition, any estimate, cannot ever be 100% certain because of the incredibly low possibility that someone will get HIV through a previously undescribed mechanism tomorrow.  On the other hand, when Dr. Handsfield or I say that something is virtually zero, very close to no risk, or of minimal risk, or use any other term to indicate a very small risk, that means "close to zero" in a world where zero cannot be attained.  Your risk is at least that low.  EWH

[ryry213]

Thanks doctor, although nuance is often lost by someone with great fear.  Would you be comfortable saying the episode is truly zero risk to me?  Knowing it is would make me forget about the episode and move on.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I picked up your follow-up question and will comment.  

I did read your earlier interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said.  Anything is theoretically possible, including that you could be hit by an asteroid while reading this.  On the other hand, experience, both in the case of your risk of HIV and your risk of getting struck by an asteroid, leads to the same conclusion- there is simply no reason to worry about such a possibility.   From a "theoretical perspective", your risk for getting HIV from contact of your hangnail with damp underwear is even lower than any risk from direct contact.  This really is not something for you to be worried about. there is no reason for concern and no reason for testing.  I hope this comment helps you to move forward from your concerns.  EWH