Infection through wounds?

[Maximus123]

I would very much appreciate your expert opinion on the following possible risk exposure:

Some 4 weeks ago I had sex with a prostitute (which I now deeply regret). A condom was used in the vaginal intercourse and I didn't notice that it would have been broken during the sex. However, my concern are fresh wounds that I had on my outer thigh. Maybe 5 minutes prior to starting having sex I had accidentially swayed and bumbed against a wall and got those wounds on my thigh (a couple of wounds and smaller cuts in the area of some 3cm X 3cm). When having sex the wounds were probably not actually bleeding but they were of course fresh and there was my blood remaining on them. I think the wounds were not so deep as they were caused by this bumb against the rough wall (rustic stone?) that didn't break the denim of my jeans.

Even if I was protected by the condom when having sex, I am now afraid of that some amounts of the vaginal fluids may have got into the wounds through her or my own fingers or from her thighs during the sex act.

The experts in my home country give advise that HIV is not transmitted indirectly (e.g. through fingers) and that the infection requires a large amount (larger amount that can be carried in the fingers) of blood, semen or vaginal fluids to get directly into the blood circulation or mucous membranes.

When reading these pages I have becomeimpressed by your expertise and and clear views, so I would be very thankful for you opinion whether I should be tested for this exposure. Since this event I have had several symptoms (like swelling and pain on the neck, sore throat, rash on armpits and diarrhea, maybe caused by the stress as well....) and I am pretty scared about the situation at the moment.

Many thanks in advance,

M

[Ann]

Max,

The information you read was correct. Even if this woman was hiv positive and got some vaginal fluids on your wound, you would not have been at risk for hiv infection.

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. Keep using those condms and you will 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 with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Although you do NOT need to test over this specific, protected incident, 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

[Maximus123]

Many thanks for your quick reply Ann. This really gives me strength! I must now start to believe that my mind is only making tricks with all these symptoms.

M