POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: omni on February 26, 2013, 02:35:01 pm
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Hi all,
I apologize for the lengthy nature of this post, as I want to make sure all pertinent facts are disclosed. I recently had a potential exposure event that I have been getting increasingly nervous about.
Last week, I purchased a dildo (material: better-than-real rubber) for anal use. Upon arrival, I should have been tipped off by the shoddy packaging that the dildo might have been previously used. The dildo itself was in an unsealed clear plastic bag that had a bit of what appeared to be some powdery substance on the inside (it made the clear plastic slightly cloudy at parts). The dildo appeared to be dry in the bag, and I do not believe the inside of the bag had any wetness or moisture of any kind (because then I assume the dildo would be at least a bit moist, and any wetness/moisture would likely have dried during the shipping process), though I did not specifically check.
I washed the dildo twice with antibacterial soap. Without letting it air-dry, I placed two condoms over it (I understand now that putting two on causes them to break more easily) and used it anally, with a mixture of water-based and water+silicone-based lubricant. It has now been a week since I used it and I feel no symptoms save for a slightly sore throat.
I have two primary inquiries (aside from general exposure risk from the above facts):
(1) Assuming the dildo was used before, and assuming the person who used it before is HIV-positive, what are the chances that I was infected with HIV through anal use? I'm almost positive my use caused at least some micro-tears in my rectum because the dildo was certainly not small. The last time someone used the dildo would have to be at least 3-4 days prior to my own use because of the order, packaging, and shipping process.
(2) With the same assumptions as above, can lubricant or my fingers (or both) transfer HIV from the uncovered base of the dildo to the covered portion of the dildo (which came into direct contact, of course, with my rectum)? By covered I mean covered with the condoms. During use, I briefly touched the uncovered portion and then touched the covered portion, and I'm fairly certain that a little lube from the uncovered portion got onto the covered portion.
Thank you!
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The only possible way you could get HIV from a dildo is if you used "dildo" as a euphemism for condom-free penis.
Even if a guy with HIV and a soaring viral load aggressively uses a dildo on himself and then thrusts it into your anus, you won't get HIV.
You get HIV from having unprotected anal and vaginal sex with a person who has HIV and a detectable viral load. You don't get it from a dildo, and especially not from a dildo that was bought at a store, washed when home, and used BY you ON/IN you.
I urge you to read our LESSONS on transmission to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms through which HIV exists and infects.