Common "Hiv Risk Factors" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Hiv Risk Factors

There are certain acts and sexual behaviors that put you at a higher risk of contracting HIV. Knowing which factors increase your risk, is important in developing a strategy to protect yourself from HIV now and in the future.

Recently Answered Questions Recently Answered Questions

All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I fear contracting HIV. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, I am suffering from HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) phobia, and I am having a tingling sensation in my hand and feet. Can I get HIV from bed sheet as my penis foreskin was rubbed in a bus and there may be infected fluid on that spot? Can I get HIV from rubbing penis foreskin on wall or...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. No, you cannot get infected by HIV from a bedsheet or from toilet pans. Tingling and numbness occur due to many reasons. It needs evaluation. Remember, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can only live at approximately 8-12 seconds in the outside world and live up to 20 mi...  Read Full »

My condom broke while having sex. Will I get an STD?

Query: Hello doctor, I had protected intercourse with a CSW (Community Sex Worker), but the protection broke at the tip during insertion and I immediately pulled out. Enough space was left at the tip for semen to collect and I do not know whether the tip of my penis has come in contact with some vaginal fl...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Even a minute touch of an infected vagina can spread STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). As partner status is unknown and has high-risk factors, it is better to use prophylactic treatment. Secondly, pain in armpit has almost no relation to STD. It is probably myalgia an...  Read Full »

Am I safe from HIV as I took PEP after 45 hours of exposure?

Query: Hello doctor, I had protected vaginal intercourse with an HIV positive woman and I had taken PEP after 42 hours of exposure. I was texted negative at the baseline with PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) RNA (Ribonucleic acid) test and post completing PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis) my blood was drawn a...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes. In my practice, I have couples who are serodiscordant and still remain negative even after unprotected sexual activity and even they would not use PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). The reason is, sexual transmission has the least chance of acquiring HIV comparing to ...  Read Full »

Can diarrhea and fever occur due to HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, I am having some queries on HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). I had protected sex with a call girl four weeks back and do not know about her HIV status. I heard from her, she lost weight in recent months and also has cough. After two weeks, I got diarrhea, itching and feverish feelin...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Call girls are high-risk group for HIV infection. Your complaint of diarrhea and fever may be due to anxiety causing increased bowel movements and increased core temperature causing fever. Rapid tests will be negative for 45 to 90 days. It is too early to have diarrhea an...  Read Full »

I had a cut on my hand while washing instruments. Can I get HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, I was working in a decontamination area in a hospital and I had a small cut on the hand. The water came inside my gloves while washing dirty instruments of operation theatre. Will I get HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus)?  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. First, HIV can survive only for 8 to 12 seconds in the outside world. The HIV contaminated instruments and waste material from instruments cannot cause HIV infection as there will be more than 30 minutes before contacting you. Second, never work with open wounds. Taking H...  Read Full »

I have a node on the neck after forced sex. Could this be due to HIV?

Query: Hi doctor, I had unprotected sex with a man who forced himself on me. Five days later, a node on the right side of my neck appeared with a sore throat. I went to the doctor, explained everything, took an HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) test and it came back negative. The node is hard and gets sof...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Lymphadenopathy is not related to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and probably caused by infected teeth as HIV infection takes approximately six months to one year to get lymphadenopathy. Get HIV test after 45 to 90 days with generation four dual tests or western blot ...  Read Full »

I am concerned about getting infected with HIV upon contacting blood from a surface. Kindly help.

Query: Hello doctor, I usually check my blood sugar at home and I have a maid who cleans our home including bathrooms. I am worried that it is her blood that gets spilled and that she is infected. Can I ask my maid if she is HIV positive? I have noticed brown blood during my periods for the last month and ...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com The condition explained by you has no chance of getting HIV (human immuno deficiency virus) infection, and it cannot survive to infect in this manner. I advise you to kindly refrain from the fear of infection. I hope this information will help you. Thank you.   Read Full »

What are the tests and precautions to be taken for HIV after unprotected sex?

Query: Hi doctor, Yesterday night I had sex with some unknown person. While doing sex my condom got torn and I had removed my penis at the same time and I had lip lock kiss too. I am scared of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), could you please guide me what all the precautions I have to take and what all...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. As I can see that the episode is recent in time, I would suggest you use post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as early as possible within 72 hours of exposure. The chances of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) transmission are related to the status of your partner and viral lo...  Read Full »

Got in contact with vaginal fluid during oral sex. Will it cause HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 25-year-old male. Recently, I went for a trip and ended up in engaging in sexual activity with a female sex worker. I first did a vaginal intercourse with a condom and then oral sex using the same condom (with the vaginal fluids). After 15 minutes, I got an unprotected oral sex ...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. First, protected sexual activity carries negligible risk. Protected or unprotected oral sex carries no risk as HIV transmission through oral sex is none considering she has no oral bleeding or ulcers and you have no ulcer on the penis. A shower bath will not protect fr...  Read Full »

Can I get HIV even after using two condoms?

Query: Hi doctor, I had vaginal sex with two condoms without a breakage before two weeks. I do not know the person whom I had sex and do not know whether she has HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or not. Am I at risk of getting HIV infection from vaginal sex with two condoms? Does the partner's fluid that ...  Read Full »


Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Never use two condoms, and there are higher chances of having a slippage. Protected sexual activity shows a reduced chance to have HIV. The rates of transmission stand at 1 in 10000 sexual activity. So, you have a less probability of acquiring the infection. It is always ...  Read Full »

ask-doctor-img Ask a Doctor Online

* Your first query consult is free!

Search for a Health Issue



Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.