HomeAnswersHIV/AIDS specialisthivI engaged in protected foreplay with a HIV-positive person. Will I contract HIV?

Is there a possibility of contracting HIV through protected foreplay?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At May 31, 2022
Reviewed AtDecember 1, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had a sexual encounter with a person who was HIV positive, but it was undetected. I did not penetrate them. I only used a dildo with gloves. However, I had a small cut on the tip of my finger, similar to a hangnail, and the dildo I touched might have had rectal mucus on it. Is there a risk that I might contract HIV?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by using all precautions as described are nil. The chances of transmission with the cut described appear to be nil if it was not bleeding or an open wound.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response. It was just a small hangnail that I developed recently, and it was not actively bleeding. Additionally, I performed oral sex, briefly to another person, who is HIV negative, and on PREP, after they had penetrated the Positive-undetectable individual without a condom, they did not ejaculate in my mouth or on me. Is there any risk from this? Also, when you say open wound, do you mean a deep one? This one was just a small tear at the top of my nail.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If there is no bleeding (or open) wound then there is no chance of entry of HIV. Intact skin is an effective barrier to HIV. Open need not be too deep. The chances of transmission of HIV by oral sex with HIV positive person are almost nil if there are no bleeding wounds in the oral cavity. Repeated encounters with the HIV-positive person can increase the risk further.So it is better to avoid repeated exposures.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response. I was worried that I would need PEP. The nail cut was not deep. It was just a little skin broken from me trimming my nails. I did not have any bleeding in my mouth or open cuts there or any semen or blood in my mouth during the incident.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I do not see the need for PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) if acts are limited to those mentioned.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra
Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Dermatology

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