Piercing And Possible HIV Exposure

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Treatment After Exposure to HIV

For serious exposures, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends using a combination of three approved ARVs for four weeks. For less serious exposure, the guidelines recommend four weeks of treatment with two drugs: zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) and lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC). In January 2001, the Centers for Disease Control warned against using nevirapine (Viramune) for PEP because of the risk of liver damage. See Fact Sheet 431 for more...

Ask the Experts

pierced nipple exposure

I recently had an encounter with a woman I do not know the HIV status of. She had pierced nipples and I briefly licked on one of them. Is this a route for exposure? I know "casual contact" is not an avenue of transmission, but if she...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

Unless your mouth was coming into direct contact with HIV infected blood in the encounter you describe, you are not at risk for infection through licking a pierced nipple. RMK... Read more »

Vaginal Piercings

I have Three vaginal piercings. One on my clitoris and the other on my labia. I am noticing that the clitoral piercing is starting to bubble with a slimy clear puss-like substance. I cant take it out because of sexual preferences, but I wanted to...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

It's possible that you have an infection in the area of your piercing, so it would be advisable to see a medical professional about your situation. You may want to leave the jewelry in the piercing until you see a doctor, especially if it is a... Read more »

Tattooing and Piercings...please help

I am a 28yo mother of three. I received two tattoos about 2weeks apart approx..9 weeks ago. I also purchased some jewelry for a piercing I have. My concern is the tattoo artist wore gloves used sterilized needles and used fresh ink but...

Response from John L. Sullivan, M.D.

University of Massachusetts, Medical School

You may want to get tested for Hep C; it is very remote that HIV would be transmitted in this manner; if you have any concerns you should seek testing to put your concerns at rest; JLS.... Read more »

Would having one sexually transmitted disease lower any possibility of resistance to HIV exposure or resistance to another STD?The Body: Rick Sowadsky M.S.P.H., C.D.S, Answers to Safe Sex Questions

Would having one sexually transmitted disease lower any possibility of resistance to HIV exposure or resistance to another STD?...

Response from Rick Sowadsky, M.P.H.

Nevada State Health Division AIDS Program

Hi. Thank you for your question. If a person has one Sexually TransmittedDisease (STD), they may have been exposed to others as well. That's why weoften recommend that if a person has been diagnosed with one STD, that theyget tested for other... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

Scared and Worried: Possible HIV Exposure

Posted by kindahypertonic, 1 Reply

Hey everyone,

I had an unprotected sexual experience February 2, 2007. The morning after having received and given a blowjob (I did not swallow nor did he) as well as a single unprotected anal insertion [i received]- no sex, as in no continous... Read more »

Possible Exposure?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

About a year ago I slept with someone on 4 different occasions who I think is HIV+. We used a condom every time -- but there was some penetration beefore the condom was put on.

What is my risk factor here? Let's say on each occasion there were... Read more »

Possible exposure? DELETED

Posted by sexyitalian910, 3 Replies

Post deleted by sexyitalian910 Read more »

Testing four years after possible exposure

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

I am a female who had unprotected sex with a man who I was later told was HIV + (but not by him). I went to Planned Parenthood in MA four years later and took a test, it came back negative, but just to be sure I took a home access three months... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>