Irrational worry?

[Anxious!]

I recently went to a strip-club place where I touched the strippers legs and chest while masturbating (with the same hand). I did not touch her vagina but she did touch my scrotum and legs with a finger that she used to touch the outside of her vagina (please excuse the language, I'm just trying to accurately convey the details!).

Does that constitue a real risk? Her finger defintely did not come into contact with my shaft or the top of my penis, but is the skin on the scrotum any more porus than that of the rest of the body?

Also, is it possible that if there was a small cut or something that I did not see on her body that I touched without ever knowing that could put me at risk? I did not see any blood on my hands or anything else, but what if it was simply too little to see with the naked eye?

Are these simply unreasonable concerns?

Thank You.

[Matty the Damned]

Anxious,

There is absolutely no chance of you contracting HIV because a stripper touched your ball sack with a sticky finger. The virus just isn't transmitted that way. To understand more about how HIV is and is not transmitted I would encourage you to read our Welcome Thread. Be sure to click on the links that point to our transmission lessons.

Nevertheless, people who are sexually active should have a full STD screen at least twice a year. A full STD screen includes an HIV antibody test. If it's been a while since your last full screen or if you've never had one before you might consider making an appointment to with your doctor or local clinic.

Once again, the incident you describe is has not placed you at risk of contracting HIV.

Regards,

MtD

[Anxious!]

Ok. This occurence wouldn't require any action on its own though right (pathetically maybe, that's basically the extent of my sexual activity...)?

[Matty the Damned]

No Anxious, you don't need to test because of this specific incident.

MtD

[Anxious!]

Is it pretty much absurd to worry about the possibility that the woman had a cut or something on her body that I did not see and that I may have had traces of blood on my hand that I masturbated with?

[Ann]

Anxious,

Yes, that's pretty much absurd. Hiv is not transmitted through masturbation, no matter what sort of spin you might dream up. No risk.

Ann

[Anxious!]

Hi again...

So even with my crazy-scenario, that's not a risk?

Thanks for the advice.

[Matty the Damned]

Anxious,

Matty the Damned is tellin' you this one last time. There was no risk.

Ya dig?

MtD

[Andy Velez]

Anxious, becoming sexualy active is very exciting and at the time it often stirs up a lot of anxiety and sometimes guilt or shame.

You've already been repeatedly told that you weren't at risk for HIV in this incident. So I am just adding my affirmation to that. No risk whatsoever.

As has also been suggested read the lessons on transmission and testing. Those will give you the basics you need to know. By consistently following safer sex guidelines you can enjoy yourself sexually, protect your health and spare yourself the kind of totally unnecessary worrying you have been experiencing.

Go at the pace that is right for YOU in terms of what you do sexually. Too often people do what they think other guys are supposed to do or other stuff that has no relevance. Stick to what's right for you and always use a condom when you get around to having intercourse.

Now, take a good deep breath, let it go and get on with your life.

Cheers,

[Anxious!]

Thanks again. I think the guilt associated with it (even though I don't have a girlfriend) is making me go crazy. Your help is appreciated very much.