Can HIV be transmitted by fingering?
I know this is probably stupid but, I was fingering someone last Saturday night and I had a hangnail on my finger. The area was not bleeding, but I am wondering is this a possible HIV concern or is the chance of it too remote?
Expert answer
The risk of contracting or transmitting HIV (or any other STIs) through hand-to-genital contact is very slight and I’m not aware of any documented cases where this has been proven to transmit HIV.
Viral STIs such as HPV or HIV is spread primarily through anal and vaginal sex. Injecting drug users who share dirty needles and syringes are also at risk for HIV and, while it happens less often, someone who performs oral sex on an HPV or HIV-positive partner may also contract the virus.
According to the CDC, you should have an HIV test if you’ve injected drugs, have had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or have had multiple partners. You should also be tested if you’ve been diagnosed with an STI.
–Versie Johnson-Mallard, PhD, RN, APRN, WHNP-BC
