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Does Fingering Cause HIV Transmission?

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Posted on Thu, 3 Dec 2015
Question:

HIV transmission through fingering - inserting a finger into a vagina seems to cause a lot of anxiety worldwide.

Fingering is a zero risk activity as far as we are aware. There are no reported cases worldwide of people becoming HIV positive after fingering a woman with HIV.

People are generally very concerrned about the presence of tiny cuts on their fingers or around their finger-nails which they 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 for example. It does have to be 1) fresh and 2) open and bleeding. Even in this scenario, there is no evidence that it poses a risk with no reported cases worldwide.

The vastly most common routes for transfer of HIV are by unprotected vaginal or anal sex and then by sharing needles for injecting drugs and mother to child transmission during birth or breast feeding.

HIV transmission by fingering is not a risk.

However, it would be polite and very much more comfortable for the person to be fingered (the "fingeree") if the fingerer cut his or her nails and also used some lubricating fluid to make the entire excericse enjoyable for all concerned and less likely to injure the fingeree.

Remember that if you think you might have exposed yourself to HIV then the best approach is to test as soon as you are able. We know that testing and identifying new HIV positive people is very important in terms of their own health but also in reducing the chances of HIV spread to others. The biggest risk of HIV infection is through having unprotected sex with someone who has just become HIV positive.

If you do think you have been exposed then you should obtain medical advice regarding the use of Post Exposure Prophylaxis to reduce your chances of acquiring the infection. The earlier you do this the better.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I completely agree, 100 %; no risk for HIV at all

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

I do remember your recent query sir of course.

I completely agree with the above discussion, which is why I informed you in our previous discussion about there being not one reported case of HIV transmission through vaginal fingering.

I am almost completely sure you have not contracted the infection and that you can continue to be sexually involved with your wife. I understand you are feeling guilty, and the first step towards forgiveness is repentance.

I would also like to add that you need not think that you are disturbing me in anyway, I look forward to helping people and by answering your queries and putting your mind to rest, that is just what I aim on doing.

Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help you sir. I wish you loads of luck and good health always.

Best wishes sir.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Does Fingering Cause HIV Transmission?

Brief Answer: I completely agree, 100 %; no risk for HIV at all Detailed Answer: Hello once again sir. I do remember your recent query sir of course. I completely agree with the above discussion, which is why I informed you in our previous discussion about there being not one reported case of HIV transmission through vaginal fingering. I am almost completely sure you have not contracted the infection and that you can continue to be sexually involved with your wife. I understand you are feeling guilty, and the first step towards forgiveness is repentance. I would also like to add that you need not think that you are disturbing me in anyway, I look forward to helping people and by answering your queries and putting your mind to rest, that is just what I aim on doing. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help you sir. I wish you loads of luck and good health always. Best wishes sir.