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What Are The Risks Of HIV Through Contact Of Vaginal Secretions In Rectum?

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Posted on Thu, 20 Aug 2015
Question: Are vaginal secretions entered into the rectum via finger a risk of HIV transmission? Specifically if the hands have been exposed to the air for 5+ minutes, complicating matters worse a small hemorrhoid was present too. Thanks!!
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Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The risk of HIV transmission is negligible.

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

HIV can not survive outside the body fluids for not more than few seconds. They are highly fragile. As you mentioned that the finger with vaginal fluid introduced in the anus 5 minutes after it had been exposed to air and atmospheric conditions, the risk of HIV transmission is negligible even in presence of a hemorrhoid. Nothing much to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (38 minutes later)
Thanks for the answer! Has there ever been a documented case of something like bodily fluids exiting one persons body, then entering another's and causing infection ? I am also very concerned with other STDs, based on the event description, what should I be concerned with. Thanks!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
STD/HIV transmission through finger insertion is negligible

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.

People getting HIV through blood transfusion are the good example for transmission though body fluids. There are many many documented cases of HIV transmitted through blood transfusion. Similarly HIV transmission through needle prick in health care providers are also well documented, but not through casual contact by touching or through insertion of fingers.
STDs are preferred to be transmitted through sexual route just because all these organisms are not able to live outside the body fluids and certain others can not live in atmospheric conditions like air, drying, and temperature etc. They can survive in moist, warm climate with partial oxygen supply which are prevailing in human genitals. So they are not able to be transmitted through casual contact.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3112 Questions

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What Are The Risks Of HIV Through Contact Of Vaginal Secretions In Rectum?

Brief Answer: The risk of HIV transmission is negligible. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. HIV can not survive outside the body fluids for not more than few seconds. They are highly fragile. As you mentioned that the finger with vaginal fluid introduced in the anus 5 minutes after it had been exposed to air and atmospheric conditions, the risk of HIV transmission is negligible even in presence of a hemorrhoid. Nothing much to worry. Dr S.Murugan