Question
Can my friend get HIV from a drunken fumble without penetration?
15 March 2011. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Hi
I am positive. I have been on medication for 2 years and always maintained undetectable viral load.
I recently shared a bed with a friend and we were both very drunk. There was a drunken fumble (which was a surprise as we are just friends. Also I am a gay man and my friend is a woman). Due to being so drunk neither of us remember how it started. Once we realised what was happening we stopped.
Neither of us believe there was any penetration. Just me nudging (with a bad aim as I recall so probably not too close to vagina or anus). There was definitely no ejaculation.
I want to put my friends mind at ease that the risk of infection from what happened is very low or practically non existent so thought if I ask this question I can show her the response.
Thank you
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If there was no penetration then your friend cannot get HIV the way you described. If your viral load has been undetectable for 2 years then the likelihood of you transmitting the virus is extremely small anyway. Your friend may want to read the Swiss Statement to find out more about this.