finger touched vagina: HIV risk? + Does strenuous trip abroad increase antigens / false positive risk?

[paranoid android022]

Hi Doctor,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to look at this question.

Last week I was on a business trip to Honolulu where I visited a strip bar (first time) with a few friends. I mostly kept my hands off the girls, except for about five seconds where I fingered a girl's vagina using my index finger. I do not remember feeling any wetness/fluids.

I had two questions in relation to this:

1. There was a week-old cut on my index finger, a little distance from the area of direct contact. Also I might later have put the finger in my mouth. I have always had what seems like a small cavity (painless) over one of my teeth. I also have a habit of biting my lower lip and inside of mouth. Does this pose any risks?

2. Back to my hotel, I washed my hands with warm water and standard issue hotel soap. I masturbated after this, and cleaned my penis (uncircumcized) with tissue paper. During this time my hand might have touched inside my foreskin, an area which has always been raw and slightly painful, ever since I became sexually active. Is there a risk with this?

3. Do I need an HIV test? Also, I'd be on an arduous 3-week business trip to India and China a month from now. If I wait till after the trip, is there a chance that the exposure of my immune system to the stimuli of a new environment will lead naturally to production of antigens that might increase the chance of a false positive in an HIV test?

Thanks again.

[paranoid android022]

Dr. Handsfield and also asymptomaddict,

Thank you very much. There's an incredible amount of disinformation on the internet regarding HIV and other STDs. This website is doing a great job of clearing the murky waters.

[paranoid android022]

Dr. Handsfield,

One last question, and I'll move on from this. I am an occasional nail biter which means the skin near and under my nails could have been raw (no bleeding). Does this mean any risk.

[paranoid android022]

"No STD or HIV ever is transmitted by fingering or genital-to-hand contact. If that is your only exposure, you have no worries."

Yes, I am quite certain that was my only exposure. I guess its just my anxiety and guilt.

Thank you very much once again. Your dedication in being constantly available to answer questions is truly an inspiration.

Best Regards.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Before I even read your question, based only on the title you chose for this thread:  No STD or HIV ever is transmitted by fingering or genital-to-hand contact.  If that is your only exposure, you have no worries.

Now I will read the question itself.  Guess what?

1) No, a week old cut on your finger makes no difference.  Nobody ever got HIV that way.

2) No risk.  This is really stretching it!

3) Of course you don't need an HIV test.  And no, there is no stress you can put on your immune system that could alter your risk or that could alter the result of an HIV test.

Just drop this whole thing.  There is nothing here except your anxiety.  Good luck--

HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Indeed, I have no further reply.

[asymptomaddict]

There is still no risk.  Dr. H probably isn't even going to bother replying again because his reply will be the same.  You can safely move on.

[paranoid android022]

Dr. Handsfield,

I browsed through the archives, and there are lots of people with questions similar to mine, at least qsns 1 and 2. Still it would be wonderful if you could answer my question. I realize my actions were probably not high risk, but a response from you would help me a lot in putting my mind at ease. I am getting married in a fortnight (hence the bachelor's party), and I would like to start my new life knowing I pose no risk to my wife.

Thank you.