Question:

Dear Expert,
I have read that HIV does not survive more than a few minutes outside the human body. Will a mixture of breastmilk and glandular secretion (Aerola oil) still able to transmit HIV if the mixture has been on my finger for more than 5 minutes and then I used the same finger to touch my penis and urethra ?

I have also read that soap and water does dilute HIV. Does it dilute to the point that the HIV is unable to transmit ?

Is 175 days waiting period after a sexual exposure enough to go for a HIV test ?

Here in my country in South East Asia the laboratorium only says 'HIV test' without explaining whether its HIV-1 or HIV-2. Is it necessary to ask for both tests ?

Answer provided by:

Ross Slotten, M.D.
Klein and Slotten Medical Associates
Private Practice in Family Medicine
With a special interest in HIV disease

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease and is transmitted from person to person like all other sexually transmitted diseases. This means that transmission occurs primarily through unprotected penis in vagina or penis in rectum intercourse. The other two important modes of transmission are through blood contact (such as a transfusion of unscreened HIV-infected blood and blood products) and mother to unborn fetus. It is also possible for a newborn baby to acquire HIV infection through breast feeding. Although HIV is present in breast milk, it is unlikely to be transmitted if breast milk touches the penis and urethra. I cannot prove to you that transmission this way is impossible, but it is not an important mode of transmission. In short, I wouldn't worry about this kind of exposure. Instead, always be sure to have safe sex-that is, use a condom EVERY TIME you have intercourse (even if you don't intend to ejaculate).

You ask if soap and water can dilute HIV, thus impeding the transmission of HIV. I'm not sure if I understand your particular concern, since you do not elaborate further. As I mentioned above, HIV is not transmitted through casual contact. But certainly you should practice good hygiene when touching body fluids. Good hand washing with soap and water will diminish the risk of transmission of a variety of diseases, including influenza.

Waiting 175 days to be HIV tested after a possible exposure to HIV is more than enough time. The standard HIV test will detect infection as early as 3 months in the majority of those infected.

Most labs do not routinely test for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 is predominantly an African disease, and far less common than HIV-1. You probably do not need to be screened for HIV-2.

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