POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: wondering82 on June 13, 2011, 10:14:29 am
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I'm a nail biter - BAD - often to the point my cuticles bleed and there are often "tears" (for lack of better word) in the skin around my nails, etc. Besides being gross (I'll admit that), they are also painful. My question is this: what is the risk of contract HIV (or anything for that matter) via these "tears" in the skin? I recently exchanged handjobs with a gentleman and I was concerned about any of his semen (pre/post) getting in any of these tears and possibly exposing me.
While I know this is a forum for "Am I Infected?", but do you know of any resources for dealing with these anxieties?
Thanks for all that you do! What an amazing resource!
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Wondering,
No, you are not going to become infected through bleeding cuticles or any other small, superficial breaks in your skin.
Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse where the virus never leaves the confines of the two bodies.
Once outside the body, small changes in temperature, and pH and moisture levels all quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect.
For this reason, mutual masturbation is NOT a risk for hiv infection, regardless of the presence or absence of cuts or whatever on your hands.
Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.
To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.
ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER MUTUAL MASTURBATION WITH CUT CUTICLES, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.
If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.
Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
Ann
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Thanks so much for your incredible insight, Ann. So you're saying that even if the partner was HIV positive and there was contact with his semen, HIV transmission is impossible?
Thanks again, Ann. This is truly an amazing resource. Well done, guys!
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Yes, that is what she is saying. NO RISK! HIV is a fragile virus and is absolutely not transmitted in that manner.
Get on with your life.
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Wondering,
Every single risk assessment we do here assumes the other person is hiv positive.
You did not have a risk. You do not need to test over this specific incident. However, we do recommend that any sexually active person gets a full sexual health care check up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse occurs.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!!!
Ann
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Hi guys,
Interested to get a feel on this scenerio: I have a neighbor that I occassionally get together with. Nothing serious, just masturbation. Long story short, he wanted me to get in a position where I was standing over him while he was sitting on the couch. When he ejaculated, he got semen on my buttocks area (didn't anticipate that one!). Other than touching me here and there, there wasn't any contact. Is there any risk with his semen coming so close to my "entry way"?
Thanks a million guys!
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Under no circumstances can HIV be spread like this. HIV absolutely MUST be spread inside the body cavity.
Wear a condom when having penetrative anal or vaginal sex and you will successfully prevent HIV. It really is that simple.
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Wondering,
I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.
If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.
Please also read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please re-read your entire thread. We have already explained to you why mutual masturbation is not a risk for hiv infection.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!!!
Ann