Condom Question.

[sloweddie1]

Around two weeks ago I had been sleeping with this woman.
I always used a condom but I did go down on her a couple of times. Most worryingly, for me, after intercourse I found a little bit of peeling skin on the inside of my cheek (I hadn't noticed this before) - I don't think there was any blood.
I also feel that I may have pressed the end of my penis on the outside of her vagina during the intercourse, thereby spreading cervical fluid???

Anyway, I will be getting tested in a coupe of months and have been suffering from a lot of anxiety over this.

I would really appreciate clarification on whether I am at risk of contracting hiv.

Many, many thanks.

[RapidRod]

Oral sex is not a risk of HIV transmission.

[sloweddie1]

I greatly appreciate your prompt reply. But oral sex is not a risk for reasons - but in this instance where there may have been the presence of cervical fluid (and therefore higher concentrated) and the possibility of a small abrasion in the mouth. Do these not increase the risk??

Many thanks again

[RapidRod]

Not with oral sex. Saliva contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that inhibit HIV transmission.

[Andy Velez]

In addition to the very effective protection which is provided by your saliva, even if your penis had fluids from the cervical area when you removed the condom. HIV is a fragile virus and once exposed to the air very quickly becomes non-viable.

Your fears are all about what ifs and maybes, without any basis in HIV science.

You are worrying needlessly. There is no need for testing. Get on with your life.

[sloweddie1]

Thank you both very much for your quick and patient feedback! Andy, just one last question then I'll leave you to get on with your fantastic work, so there is no worry about spreading cervical fluid onto the outside of the vagina which may then transmitted to the mouth via cunnilingus??

[Andy Velez]

That's right. No risk of that happening. That's just your mind scaring you...unnecessarily. It just doesn't happen that way in terms of risk.

[sloweddie1]

Sorry to post again. I have begun to feel concerns that there may have been a condom breakage whilst I was with a woman I had been sleeping with several weeks ago. I remember being aware that there was a small amount of air present in the condom (I am now very conscious that this is a risk of condom breakage and have since upped my game, condom-wise) - I was very cautious throughout the intercourse in checking the condom and after the sex removed it and tied it at its end. Am I correct in thinking that, particularly in the instance of trapped air, a condom breakage would be obvious and i would have noticed??

Many Thanks

[Ann]

Eddie,

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When a condom breaks due to trapped air, it's very obvious. In fact, you can often hear it pop. Whether or not you hear it, it will end up looking like the tip has been blown off. You would most definitely notice it.

Read through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use them with confidence.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!!!

Ann

[sloweddie1]

Thanks, Ann. Very helpful. One other thing - you say it will look like the tip has been blown off, as in reservoir tip? This doesn't sound immensely noticeable, especially when the condom is a little slack and droopy after climax..
Sorry about all of this - it's unfortunate that sometimes unresolved feelings of doubt and guilt can manifest themselves in utterly irrational fears!

Many thanks again

[Ann]

Eddie,

Your fear in this case IS irrational. Believe me, you would have noticed if the condom broke. The one and only time I (well, my partner) had a condom break it was due to trapped air. We heard it pop and the end was very ragged - and it was a reservoir tip. You said you tied the end of the condom so you obviously handled it afterwards. You WOULD have noticed.

And by the way, just in case you're wondering, my partner who had a condom break with me tested hiv negative afterwards. He didn't test specifically over the break, he tested about four months later during a yearly routine sexual health check-up.

Speaking of routine check-ups, 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 SPECIFICALLY OVER THIS PROTECTED INTERCOURSE OR ORAL SEX, 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

[sloweddie1]

Hello all, I hope you're all well! Worrying again. I have begun to fear that, during the past experience I have described, I may have used a condom which I had (stupidly) stored in my wallet. Is it possible that there may have been holes in the condom which one couldn't see - there seems to be much internet literature which suggests so.

Many thanks again,

[Andy Velez]

Condom damage is not about itty bitty holes which you are mentioning or other such damage. When a condom fails it's very clear what has happened. It gives and ends up looking like a hoop with lots of fringe on it.

If you are going to continue to worry (unnecessarily I might add), then there is a simple solution. Get tested and collect the inevitable negative result.

There really is nothing more we can do for you in this setting. Nothing you have reported suggest that you have had a genuine risk for HIV. Period.

[sloweddie1]

Many, many thanks, Andy, Anne and rapid rod...i did indeed get tested at the 6 weeks. Negative. However, i did, in spectacular fashion, manage to faint after the blood test in the sexual health clinic. During which i smacked my head on a wall and was sent to the emergency room. My head may or may not have had a cut afterwards. Nothing significant at any rate. Is there any risk of infection here?? From somebody transferring blood from their arm to the wall and then to my head shortly after, for example...argh...i must stop!! Many thanks again.

[Andy Velez]

Yes, you really must stop. You did not have a risk as your test result confirmed.  Cut it out and get on with your life.

Happily, HiV is not your problem. Really.

[sloweddie1]

Hi everyone,

I hope all is well.

I was tested at 3 months and was all clear. I just have one more question; I work with someone who is frequently taking insulin shots. I wondered whether if one was to come into contact with a used needle to an extent that it could be a risk for hiv - would the exposure 1. be painful and 2. leave a puncture that is bleeding. Basically, would you you know if you were accidentally stuck with a discarded needle??

I hope you all have merry christmas,

[RapidRod]

Let me get this strait. You're asking if you play around with someones insulin needle would you know if you were stuck? If you didn't know then why would you ask that question? No one has ever been infected by being stuck or poked by a needle outside the health-care field.

[Andy Velez]

We are not going to get into another round of what ifs and worries with you.

You have reliably tested negative for HIV. You are HIV negative.

Get on with your life. If you come back with any more of these fanciful questions you are going to get a Time Out. Consider yourself warned.