Exposure Question

[Newway252]

I recently visited an adult theater. I went into the booth with another man. He braced himself with his hand on the floor as he was getting between my legs. He winced and wiped his fingers on the booth chair. He proceeded to lick my anus and then finger me with the same hand that he had wiped. As we were getting dressed, he said "watch out; someone's cum is on the floor." My question or concern is the potential risk of him touching semen on the floor and then using the same finger to insert into my anus. Any thoughts?

[Jim Allen]

It's not an HIV risk. Relax and move on with your life.

Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV

Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.

Kind regards

Jim

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[Newway252]

Jim,
Thank you for your reply and reassurance. Can I ask why this scenario does not present a threat of infection? Semen from an unknown source inserted into an anus seems like a risky activity. Is it due to the fact that the semen was on the ground and had been exposed to air for some degree of time? It could have been there for 1 minute or 30 minutes; I had no way of knowing. I'm trying to refute your claim, but would like to know the reason you feel it is not an HIV risk.

[Jim Allen]

Indeed, one of the many barriers to your concern is that if any fluids had been touched, it was exposed outside the body's confines before contact with you. 

Nobody has ever acquired HIV from being fingered despite contact with fluids, be that fluids from their partner or fluids on the floor or other surfaces touched before the fingers from the partner are inserted. It's the same reason why people don't get HIV from touching surfaces and rubbing their eyes, nose, mouth or genitals; if HIV were passed on the way you fear, there would at least be a lot less stigma surrounding it.

Anyhow, move on with your life.

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