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Can HIV Be Transmitted Through Sputum?

Posted on Sat, 18 Oct 2014

Question: Firs of all, I always wipe my penis with toilet paper after having pee, so I went to a public bathroom and had a pee. So I used the toilet paper which was over the dispenser, so I wiped my penis with it; then, I realized that paper was wet, so when I unfolded the paper I saw the sputum. Then, I immediately washed and cleaned my penis with shampoo, but it is important to say that I cleaned my penis with cleaned layer of the tissue, which had sputum inside it that is why I did not see. Hypotthetecly, lets say that was fluid or saliva. So my question is that:

Am I exposed of Hiv or STDs?

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
unlikely you are exposed

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthcareMagic .

I read Your query and understand your concern . You are not exposed to both the disease from this act.

Let me explain one by one.

1)STD- transfer by sexual act not via body fluid or sputum. So don't worry.

2) HIV- though may spread by body fluid or sputum but risk is very low. Also for that you should have some cuts over the penis . With cuts risk is less then 0.003%. Since you didn't have cuts over penis this risk also is not there.

So you may relax and remove the anxiety. But better to take precautions next time in public places.

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D