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Can I Contract HIV Through Genital Contact With A Dirty Towel?
Question: I had a massage yesterday and the lady cleaned my penis(circumcised) with a cloth which seem to have other people semen too, please advise
I'm very much stressed
she wiped the towel on penis head(circumcised).
I'm very much stressed
she wiped the towel on penis head(circumcised).
Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
HIV cannot thrive outside the body fluids for more than few seconds. When the semen or blood got dried, HIV is not viable anymore.
There is every possibility that the previous customer would not be a HIV positive individual, then the semen on the would not be infectious at all. HIV Transmission through fomites is a remote possibility. So not to worry.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
HIV cannot thrive outside the body fluids for more than few seconds. When the semen or blood got dried, HIV is not viable anymore.
There is every possibility that the previous customer would not be a HIV positive individual, then the semen on the would not be infectious at all. HIV Transmission through fomites is a remote possibility. So not to worry.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Negligible means?
I'm a overthinker and this is making me paranoid
Could you please help
I lost appetite since two days
I'm a overthinker and this is making me paranoid
Could you please help
I lost appetite since two days
Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is negligible
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Medicine is not mathematics to get a constant and fixed answers.
As per your description, the risk is nil. If you are still disturbed, then you have to consult a psychiatrist. He/she will help in this.
Or you can get HIV test done at 3-4 months after exposure.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Your HIV risk is negligible
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Medicine is not mathematics to get a constant and fixed answers.
As per your description, the risk is nil. If you are still disturbed, then you have to consult a psychiatrist. He/she will help in this.
Or you can get HIV test done at 3-4 months after exposure.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Please dont take me wrong,
I just need some support to get my will strong, so as per u I don't any test and I'm fine.
If the towel had a hiv semen and it touched my outside penis head(I'm a circumcised man) and opening it's not a concern, kindly advise
I just need some support to get my will strong, so as per u I don't any test and I'm fine.
If the towel had a hiv semen and it touched my outside penis head(I'm a circumcised man) and opening it's not a concern, kindly advise
Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It all depends,
1. Whether the towel was soiled with semen of HIV infected man?
2. The time between attending the previous customer and yourself by the massage parlor attender.
3. Whether the semen stain was sill wet or dried
4. Whether there was any abrasion over your circumcised glans penis or not beyond any doubt (even microscopic abrasion).
5. Whether the previous HIV positive customer is on treatment or not?
6. If he is on ART, whether his viral load is undetectable or detectable?
I know that you cannot answer all these above question with certainty. As long as you are not sure, your HIV transmission risk is negligible only.
Regarding the test for HIV, when you have doubt about HIV infection, it is always better to have a test after the window period and get assured with the nonreactive report.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Your HIV risk is negligible only.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It all depends,
1. Whether the towel was soiled with semen of HIV infected man?
2. The time between attending the previous customer and yourself by the massage parlor attender.
3. Whether the semen stain was sill wet or dried
4. Whether there was any abrasion over your circumcised glans penis or not beyond any doubt (even microscopic abrasion).
5. Whether the previous HIV positive customer is on treatment or not?
6. If he is on ART, whether his viral load is undetectable or detectable?
I know that you cannot answer all these above question with certainty. As long as you are not sure, your HIV transmission risk is negligible only.
Regarding the test for HIV, when you have doubt about HIV infection, it is always better to have a test after the window period and get assured with the nonreactive report.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Should I use some medicine before the time slot to be safe enough
Please see my responses below in yes or no
1. Whether the towel was soiled with semen of HIV infected man? It was semi wet
2. The time between attending the previous customer and yourself by the massage parlor attender. Probably 20 minutes prior
3. Whether the semen stain was sill wet or dried: it was semi wet and she just tapped it to clean my pre cum and excess cream
4. Whether there was any abrasion over your circumcised glans penis or not beyond any doubt (even microscopic abrasion). I dont have any abrasions.
I have washed my penis with soap after 15 mins
Will you advise me to take PEP medicine!!
Please see my responses below in yes or no
1. Whether the towel was soiled with semen of HIV infected man? It was semi wet
2. The time between attending the previous customer and yourself by the massage parlor attender. Probably 20 minutes prior
3. Whether the semen stain was sill wet or dried: it was semi wet and she just tapped it to clean my pre cum and excess cream
4. Whether there was any abrasion over your circumcised glans penis or not beyond any doubt (even microscopic abrasion). I dont have any abrasions.
I have washed my penis with soap after 15 mins
Will you advise me to take PEP medicine!!
Brief Answer:
Your HIV risk is negligible
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Semi wet towel - Even a steamed towel would be felt wet
2. When the interval between one customer to another customer, HIV transmission is very much unlikely. HIV cannot be viable.
3. There is every chance to change the towel with every customer. Wiped towel would not have reused.
4. In the absence of even a microscopic abrasion, HIV transmission is unlikely.
Washing your penis after 15 minutes have no relevant with regards to HIV transmission. There is nothing wrong in taking PEP if it has not been beyond 72 hours. But it has a definite protocol to be followed with regards to initiation and to have a follow up up to 6 months. Has to be taken under the supervision of an expert.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
Your HIV risk is negligible
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. Semi wet towel - Even a steamed towel would be felt wet
2. When the interval between one customer to another customer, HIV transmission is very much unlikely. HIV cannot be viable.
3. There is every chance to change the towel with every customer. Wiped towel would not have reused.
4. In the absence of even a microscopic abrasion, HIV transmission is unlikely.
Washing your penis after 15 minutes have no relevant with regards to HIV transmission. There is nothing wrong in taking PEP if it has not been beyond 72 hours. But it has a definite protocol to be followed with regards to initiation and to have a follow up up to 6 months. Has to be taken under the supervision of an expert.
Regards,
Dr. S. Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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