Any risk? Been very stressed!

[Oscar123]

I was at work and a patient of mine is HIV positive and asked me to refill her cup of water that she had already drank. It was like a Dixie size cup. I grabbed her cup and went to the water fountain. After I filled her cup, it felt like a tiny splash of water from the cup in my R hand flinged over to my left hand and I have a cut there. It wasn't actively bleeding at the time. I am worried as what if the saliva from the cup she drank out of, hit my cut. Is that a risk? I guess I'm more concerned as how can you know for sure if blood is present. I didn't have gloves on as I thought this was casual contact. Would you have recommended PEP or even testing? I am freaking out and this has ruined my holidays so far. I guess would it be possible to infect from cup, then water, then to my cut? Even if blood was present? Like I said I didn't see any blood as it was a clear cup. I also had to walk from her to the water fountain which prob took 30 seconds or so.  I was told this wasn't a risk. But I am worried. Also, would my cut have to be bleeding to be a risk?. There is so much conflicting information regarding cuts that would actually pose a risk. I didn't report to my supervisor as I thought this was casual contact. Would you consider this an occupational exposure? Please answer as I'm very worried. Also, can you please inform me of your knowledge of hiv or how you are educated about it. Thanks so much!

[Ptrk3]

You had no risk whatsoever of contracting the HIV from the incident you describe in your post, so there is no need for testing or PEP.  The HIV is fragile and does not survive outside the body in any viable manner and certainly would not be transferred in the manner in which you speculate: end of story.

Move on with your life.

You may wish to access this link to read and understand how the virus is communicated:

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-transmission-risks

[Oscar123]

Thank you! Can I please ask your knowledge of hiv? I have been very worried. I just think of the what ifs and if I would be the first to get it in this manner. I believe I have OCD and can't turn off my thoughts. I don't have the ritual kind, just the continuous thoughts, especially when I'm worried about something. Can you explain why it wouldn't be a risk? Even if blood were present? I was even gonna get tested at 6 weeks because I can't wait 12 because of my anxiety. Thank you! My co workers and boyfriend said I was being crazy 

[Ptrk3]

You're welcome.

The moderators of this forum are not health professionals and do not pretend to dispense medical advice.

Rather, we are a peer support group who assess potential risks over the internet, based on known and scientifically determined modes of HIV transmission.

I explained why your perceived risk is not a risk:  review my response.

The link I provided is based on years of expertise from medical professionals, who know how the HIV is transmitted.

If you desire professional medical advice on your perceived risk, as described in your post, consult with your healthcare provider.

[Oscar123]

Ok thanks! So do you think I need to contact my doctor or are you telling me I had no risk based on what I presented to you?

[Jim Allen]

HIV is not spread through drinking water, sharing utensils HIV also isn’t transmitted by hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets, sharing dishes, kissing, through saliva, tears, or sweat.
 
HIV does not remain infectouise outside the human body, once hiv finds itself exposed outside the body, small changes in temperature, pH / moisture levels all damage the receptors needed to infect you thus render it unable to infect you

Transfer from the patient, to the cup, to water, to you ?
If this was any real concern it would be the entire planet infected or we would all long be locked up in quarantine.   

Finally I would say there is allot of misinformation on the internet and lots of opinions that get passed around as facts, We however rely on the latest scientific peer reviewed science for our assessments. This also gets fed back into the poz pages on transmission risks if needed and great effort is put into ensuring the message is clear.

If you can't put this behind you I don't recommend PEP not even for peace of mind, I would however suggest speaking to a therapist face to face to help you learn to cope with irrational fears.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

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