Probably my anxiety and neurotism acting up but need clarification

[jimmy540]

Hi, i went to thailand a week ago and 5 days ago, i got a handjob from a masseuse, during the "session" i fingered her and had some vaginal fluid on my fingers, i forgot and touched my penis (i can't remember if i touched the head) some 1-2 minutes later. Also, there was a healed cut (wasnt bleeding then, it was dry, right now it is fully healed and the skin has grown back) on my finger - is it possible for me to get HIV from this? or any other STDs for that matter. Also, i developed a dry cough today (probably from drinking and smoking, but still worrying cause im a very paranoid person) i am aware of how the placebo effect might cause my body to produce symptoms which are not actually there, but am curious to know if i could be infected.

Am worried and i know its probably nothing but need some confirmation. getting tested asap.... 3 more weeks! thank you for your kind replies

[jkinatl2]

HIV is transmitted sexually through unprotected vaginal and/or anal intercourse.

The virus is too fragile, the body's defenses too strong for any other viable method.

You had no risk.

[jimmy540]

Thank you jkinatl2!

[jimmy540]

Hi, i have a question on open wounds, could someone define an open wound for me? I fingered a girl and i had a cut on my finger, but i cant remember how my cut look like as it was 3 weeks ago. All i know is that it wasnt bleeding and it had been there for a week.

Does an open wound mean that the wound is still bleeding? does it have to be a very deep wound to be infected with the virus?

thanks

[Ann]

jim,

Put it this way. With the type of cut that would matter you wouldn't be fingering anyone, you'd be on your way to a hospital to have it stitched. Our bodies are wonderful things - when we get cut, we immediately start to heal. The body's first priority is to seal the cut off from pathogens in the environment. A week old cut is not going to change the fact that fingering is absolutely NOT a risk for hiv infection.

You really need to let this NO RISK incident go. Hiv is simply NOT transmitted in the ways you're worrying about.

Hiv IS transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, sharing drug injecting equipment, or mother-to-child during pregnancy or delivery. If you haven't had unprotected intercourse or shared drug injecting equipment and if you're not an unborn child, then you're worrying for no good reason.

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 FOR HIV SPECIFICALLY OVER FINGERING OR TOUCHING YOURSELF AFTER FINGERING, 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

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

Ann

[jimmy540]

thanks ann, haha by the second week my fears had already lapsed and i was sure i was negative, its just that night i woke up from my first ever night sweats and i remember seeing it somewhere as a possible symptom - i know the symptoms arnt definite, but i just couldnt help but let my mind wander. thank you for the assurance.

[Andy Velez]

Fortunately fears and doubts aren't facts. And the facts of your situation as reported clearly indicate you were not at risk. Period.

Give it up and get on with your life. Really.