HIV risk by fingering?

[tomrae234]

Hi everyone,

I know my risk is low but given the symptoms I am experiencing, ones that I never or rarely get, I just need some more assurance.

Two and a half weeks ago I fingered a stripper/prostitute with my thumb for maybe 1 minute, my thumb's nail was peeled back on the tip two days prior (i have a nasty habit of biting or picking at my nails) so the tip was missing part of the nail.  It bled a little bit at the time (2 days prior) but since had stopped I believe. 

For the last week or so I have had severe upper back and neck pain and stiffness w/headaches.  I have also experienced joint pain in my ankles, dry mouth and a single boil on my forehead.  I just started working out (weight training) and eating better (diet change) so that could account for the muscle problems and possibly the headache, but I doubt it would account for the joint pain as I never get that, even when I head to the gym.  And that is why I am freaking out so much.

I know symptoms can't diagnose hiv infection but I'm generally not one that believes in coincidences so I am stressing out like hell.  I wouldn't be surprised if stress is causing some of this too.  Sleep like 5 hours a night lately, I just need some advice.

Thanks

[Andy Velez]

Your risk isn't low. It's non-existent as far as HIV transmission risk is concerned.

Hopefully you will never have a real risk for HIV, but if you do neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. Only an HIV test taken at the proper time can give you that answer reliably.

There is nothing HIV specific about your symptoms. Which is no surprise since you haven't had a risk.

For future reference you also need to know that the only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. Use condoms everytime for those activities and you will be well protected.

If your symptoms persist you should discuss them with your doctor. They have nothing to do with HIV based on what you have reported thus far.

[tomrae234]

Thank you Andy.

This is not the first time I've had an essentially zero (or very very low) risk of any exposure, but regardless I still freak out.  I always assume the worst and I think a lot of my "symptoms" stem from stress rather than anything else.

I'll probably end of getting tested purely to help ease my anxiety.

Thanks again.