HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Do Fingering And Masturbation Increase The Risk Of HIV?

default
Posted on Sat, 4 Apr 2015
Question: Dear Dr,
I had an exposure with a prostitute 3 months back. I have put my finger ( no cuts or sores on finger) inside her vagina and she gave me a unprotected hand job. Next day onwards I had a general uneasiness in my body and it continued for next 3-5 days.

After 1-2 weeks, I had severe headache, mild fever, sore throat and body aches that lasted approximate two weeks.

Also lost 6 Kg in 3 weeks.( 6 weeks - 9 weeks post exposure.)

I was under severe stress of catching HIV and went for full blood count (FBC) test after 3 months.( I know FBC test is not for testing HIV, but for my peace of mind I went for FBC, to get an indication) The results are as follows,

Total WCC- 8.3/nl ( normal range 4-11)

Neutrophils- 6.1/ nl ( normal range 2-8) 72%

Lymphocytes - 1.7/nl ( normal range 1-4) 20%
Monocytes - 0.6 /nl ( normal range 0.2-1) 7%
Eosinophills - <0.1/nl ( normal range 0.0 - 0.5) 0%
Basophils -<0.1/nl ( normal range 0.0 - 0.1) 0%

All Red blood cells values and Platelets are in normal range.

ESR -7mm/hr.

Lever function test -
AST - 25 ( normal <45)
ALT - 41 ( normal <40) all previous years, my ALT was in the range of 55-77.

Could you please advise on following

1. During all previous years my neutrophils and lymphocytes are in the range of 50% -55% and 30%-35 % .

Now my lymphocytes have come down to 20% and I read that during primary HIV infection, lymphocytes will come down and after servoconversion it will bounce back to near normal .

Please see the link http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Infections/Q36793.html

Do you think that this occurred in my case?

Thank You.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Fingering and masturbation carry negligible Risk for HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

Your blood investigations are within normal limits. Nothing to worry about the same. Moreover any abnormality in these tests could not pin point any specific disease but might be supportive evidence to arrive at a diagnosis.

Fingering has a negligible risk for HIV infection as per CDC XXXXXXX Unprotected
hand job has no risk for HIV. But you had mentioned that you had no cuts or sores over your finger during fingering. If there were microscopic cuts, they could not sometimes be either visualized or felt.
Counts of Neutrophil and Lymphocytes are not constant figures. It may vary time to time due to various factors. Your counts had no significant variations.
In your case the risk of HIV is negligible.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
Hi Dr,

I read that as per Medical History, no one got HIV through fingering and Handjob.

Note: Just to add that lady may have vaginal fluids on her hand, as she was inserting her finger inside her Vagina before giving me handjob. Is this going to make any difference on my case?

But My body shows following symptoms.

1. Weight loss around 6Kg (after 6-9 weeks post exposure.)
2. Frequent Throat Infection.
3. I got periodontitis on two teeths. ( after 12 weeks post exposure)
4. More Diarrhea than usual. (Atleast weekly once.)
5. My Lymphocytes are on low normal side ie 20 %.

Now my Question,

1. If I have HIV, Is it normal to have all the above symptoms within 4 months of exposure.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms are not specific to HIV. Get ruled out by a test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

Fingering and hand job are comparatively lower risk. The girl handling her vagina and did a masturbation for you and the likelihood of HIV transmission is almost nil as HIV can not be viable outside environment for more than few seconds.
When there were cuts on fingers while doing fingering, there was a theoretical possibility HIV transmission, but practically we never met such incidence and no case seemed to be reported so far.

Symptoms explained by you can occur to anybody even without the presence of HIV infection. So the only confirmation or to rule out HIV through a Test. Instead of discussing the odd possibilities and get confused or tensed, better go for a HIV test. Already more than 3 months had passed since your risk activity, it is the right time to have the test and get ruled out HIV and become relaxed.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (17 minutes later)
HI Dr,

Thank you for prompt response.

As you mention, no one got HIV through fingering and handjob.

Then why should i go for testing?

To be XXXXXXX i am worried to get tested.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Very little doubts can be cleared by having a HIV test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.

When your doubts have not been cleared beyond any controversy, any future illness including a throat infection also would like to disturb your mind with the suspicion of HIV. So having undergone a HIV test and ruling out the possibility of HIV once for all and you can forget this incident totally. So I suggest you to take up a test.
Have Good day.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (20 hours later)
Thank you Dr for the good and logical response.

I will do a test soon.

Before that I have to build up the courage to face the result, if I am positive.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you will get a HIV non-reactive result

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
You will be sure to get a HIV non-reactive result. Not to hesitate. HIV is a well manageable disease nowadays. Many people living comfortably as who are not having the disease. So you boldly take up the test.
Dr S Murugan
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3110 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Do Fingering And Masturbation Increase The Risk Of HIV?

Brief Answer: Fingering and masturbation carry negligible Risk for HIV. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. Your blood investigations are within normal limits. Nothing to worry about the same. Moreover any abnormality in these tests could not pin point any specific disease but might be supportive evidence to arrive at a diagnosis. Fingering has a negligible risk for HIV infection as per CDC XXXXXXX Unprotected hand job has no risk for HIV. But you had mentioned that you had no cuts or sores over your finger during fingering. If there were microscopic cuts, they could not sometimes be either visualized or felt. Counts of Neutrophil and Lymphocytes are not constant figures. It may vary time to time due to various factors. Your counts had no significant variations. In your case the risk of HIV is negligible. Dr S.Murugan