Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Risks Of HIV Transmission Through Open Wound?
Question: Doctor, does having a hangnails while fingering a hiv person will i contracted the diseases?
Brief Answer:
risk not well documented in your scenario
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question. I am Dr Matin and will be answering your question.
There is a very small risk of getting HIV from fingering your partner if you have cuts or sores on your fingers and your partner has cuts or sores in the rectum or vagina. You might be concerned about the presence of hangnails which you fear may pose an extra risk by being so called 'open wounds'. An open wound is a cut which is freshly made and freshly actively bleeding. This does not mean an old healed paper cut/ hangnail . It does have to be a) fresh and b) open and bleeding.
I understand your hangnail does qualify these two conditions.
So though HIV transmission this way is technically possible but unlikely in your scenario and even not well documented.
Hope this helps.
risk not well documented in your scenario
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question. I am Dr Matin and will be answering your question.
There is a very small risk of getting HIV from fingering your partner if you have cuts or sores on your fingers and your partner has cuts or sores in the rectum or vagina. You might be concerned about the presence of hangnails which you fear may pose an extra risk by being so called 'open wounds'. An open wound is a cut which is freshly made and freshly actively bleeding. This does not mean an old healed paper cut/ hangnail . It does have to be a) fresh and b) open and bleeding.
I understand your hangnail does qualify these two conditions.
So though HIV transmission this way is technically possible but unlikely in your scenario and even not well documented.
Hope this helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Noted with thanks, doctor i had protected sex with a prostitute a few days back. She gave me oral & i penetrated her. Seems like there isn't any tear on the condom. I frenchkisssed her mouth with my chapped lips. What are the chances of me getting the diseases or viral infection? And regarding about the hangnail, it was redish when i notice it. Its now black in colour and theres no blood flowing out. So should i do any check up or should i just let it go and free the anixety that im good to go. And also doctor, does stds vaccination do any effect for me in future if i plan to take it? Thank you once again.
Brief Answer:
No risk
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
Let me answer your questions one by one :
a) There is no risk of contracting HIV with a protected sex.
b) Kissing is a zero risk ( no documented case)
c)Your hangnail was not fresh and was not bleeding ,so no risk again.
d) in order for infection to occur, 3 things must happen:
i)You must be exposed to pre-cum, semen, vaginal secretions, blood, or breastmilk.
ii) The virus must get directly into your bloodstream through some fresh cut, open sore, abrasion etc.
iii) Transmission must go directly from 1 person to the other very quickly.....the virus does not survive more than a few seconds outside the body.
I understand nothing happened in your case , so you don't need a HIV test as such .
But if you feel so anxious , then there is no harm to get one HIV test done as knowing one's status positive or negative is also a part of HIV prevention .
Hope every thing has been explained to your satisfaction
No risk
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
Let me answer your questions one by one :
a) There is no risk of contracting HIV with a protected sex.
b) Kissing is a zero risk ( no documented case)
c)Your hangnail was not fresh and was not bleeding ,so no risk again.
d) in order for infection to occur, 3 things must happen:
i)You must be exposed to pre-cum, semen, vaginal secretions, blood, or breastmilk.
ii) The virus must get directly into your bloodstream through some fresh cut, open sore, abrasion etc.
iii) Transmission must go directly from 1 person to the other very quickly.....the virus does not survive more than a few seconds outside the body.
I understand nothing happened in your case , so you don't need a HIV test as such .
But if you feel so anxious , then there is no harm to get one HIV test done as knowing one's status positive or negative is also a part of HIV prevention .
Hope every thing has been explained to your satisfaction
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thanks for your detailed explanation doctor. As mentioned above, after having sex with a prostitute. My genital areas (pubic area is itchy 1 - 2 days later, the feeling comes and go in a day) im really afraid if this might be the early stage of herpes. I did ask around for other doctor, some says its allergic or i touch my genital areas when my hands are dirty. Worse case, herpes. I doubt they all have the accurate as compared to you as you are a HIV/Aids specialist. Youre reply is most appreciated! Thank
Brief Answer:
Does not appear to be genital herpes
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
Though difficult to predict without a physical examination ,still it does not appear to be genital herpes.
Even though you can still be passed the infection, you may never notice symptoms from an HSV (causative organism for Genital herpes infection -Herpes Simplex Virus ) On the other hand, you might notice symptoms within a few days to a couple of weeks after the initial contact. Or, you might not have an initial outbreak of symptoms until months or even years after becoming infected.
When symptoms occur soon after a person is infected, they tend to be severe. They may start as small blisters that eventually break open and produce raw, painful sores that scab and heal over within a few weeks. The blisters and sores may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms with fever and swollen lymph nodes
My suggestion is that you see a good skin specialist for diagnosis of about your
problems.
Hope this helps.
Does not appear to be genital herpes
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
Though difficult to predict without a physical examination ,still it does not appear to be genital herpes.
Even though you can still be passed the infection, you may never notice symptoms from an HSV (causative organism for Genital herpes infection -Herpes Simplex Virus ) On the other hand, you might notice symptoms within a few days to a couple of weeks after the initial contact. Or, you might not have an initial outbreak of symptoms until months or even years after becoming infected.
When symptoms occur soon after a person is infected, they tend to be severe. They may start as small blisters that eventually break open and produce raw, painful sores that scab and heal over within a few weeks. The blisters and sores may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms with fever and swollen lymph nodes
My suggestion is that you see a good skin specialist for diagnosis of about your
problems.
Hope this helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you doctor for your reply. It's most appreciated. But the condom is not covering fully during the intercourse. Her vagina secretion did flow down to the pubic area just above my penis. What are the chances of me getting
Brief Answer:
no chance
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response. There is no chance as the infected body fluids needs to remain in prolonged contact with abraded skin or mucosa .
Hope this helps.
no chance
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response. There is no chance as the infected body fluids needs to remain in prolonged contact with abraded skin or mucosa .
Hope this helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Noted with thanks. Doctor, i will be going for a blood test for herpes probably in march. 3 weeks from now, if the results come out negative. Herpes is most likely ruled out am i right to say?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
If the results come negative , then yes .
Thanks
Yes
Detailed Answer:
If the results come negative , then yes .
Thanks
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
