POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Joe1 on July 11, 2012, 08:35:52 pm

Title: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 11, 2012, 08:35:52 pm
I recently went to a massage palor, had a regular massage no any kind of extra service. The thing is, I'm just worried because after the session was done I went to their bathroom and saw all their grooming things I used their new disposable toothbrush except for the toothpaste which was a tube type. Question, can I get infected using that toothpaste if the previous user was infected, I'm worried because while I was brushing I had bleeding gums because of I think much force in brushing. I know this is kind of silly question but I just needed your opinion on this. By the way, I was already cleared from my previous protected encounters because had two test last January and June this year. But this brushing incident happened only last week and I'm worried. Thanks.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: RapidRod on July 11, 2012, 08:38:59 pm
HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child

You never had an exposure from toothpaste.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: jkinatl2 on July 11, 2012, 10:28:08 pm
Please read our lessons section on transmission. Rodney gave you the pertinent facts.

You cannot get HIV from toothpaste, toothbrushes. massage oil, or lube. HIV is an extremely fragile virus.

Use a condom for anal and vaginal sex and you will protect yourself from HIV.

Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 12, 2012, 05:01:51 am
Thanks for the assurance, I'm just being paranoid lately because of the news that has been shown often here in the Philippines about the rising case of HIV infection. Was worried because my gums bled while brushing my teeth and if the toothpaste I used which was previously used by an infected person and the virus survived then I might get infected. Thanks. That is why my title was such, cause I don't know how long does the virus survive when exposed to the air.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Ann on July 12, 2012, 06:35:26 am
Joe,

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the human body where the virus never leaves the confines of the two bodies.

Once outside the body, small changes in temperature, and pH and moisture levels all quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect. For this reason, you're not going to become infected with hiv in or on things in the environment, including toothpaste, food, doorknobs, sheets or anything else.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER THIS TOOTHPASTE INCIDENT, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann
Title: Nipple sucking can cause HIV?
Post by: Joe1 on July 15, 2012, 04:37:36 pm
Just a curious question, was there a study made by researchers that nipple sucking from a woman's breast who might be HIV infected can be zero risk? Thanks.
Title: Re: Nipple sucking can cause HIV?
Post by: RapidRod on July 15, 2012, 04:43:16 pm
■Please do not start a new thread every time you have another question or thought - regardless if you think your questions are related to each other or not. It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Additional threads will be merged.
■If you cannot find your thread, click on the "Show own posts" link in the left-hand column of any forum page, under your name.
Title: Re: Nipple sucking can cause HIV?
Post by: Joe1 on July 15, 2012, 04:54:15 pm
I'm sorry, how do I merge this post? To go back to my previous post? Regarding my  question, was there any research done on that activity or any other sexual activities other that anal or vaginal intercourse to arrive at conclusions that they are categorized as high, low and no risks from HIV infection?
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Andy Velez on July 15, 2012, 06:08:51 pm
I've merged your threads here. This is the only thread you should be using in the future. 

We're not here to provide you with statistics. We're here to evaluate specific situations in terms of risk. In your case we know that sucking the nipple of an HIV positive woman is not a risk for an adult. Only an infant less than 6 months old is at risk because at that point the baby's immune system has not kicked in. As an adult you have your immune system for protection and your saliva has over a dozen elements and proteins which very effective prevent the transmission of viable HIV.

You are worrying needlessly. Get on with your life.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 15, 2012, 07:26:43 pm
Thanks Andy for the reply, I was just worried but you calmed me down. Just want to find out that was there any documented case of HIV infection because of nipple sucking? Thanks. I'm just getting paranoid lately because I did get a hand job and sucked the nipple of a therapist last July 5 and now I'm having mild sore throat and running nose. But was tested last January and June and got non reactive results for my last year's protected intercourse.   
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Ann on July 15, 2012, 07:30:08 pm
Joe,

There are plenty of documented cases of INFANTS becoming infected from "nipple sucking" but not a single case involving an adult. Are you an infant? No? Then stop worrying.

Only tiny babies who rely on breast milk for their sole sustenance are at any risk from "nipple sucking".

You had a NO RISK sexual experience.  Get over it.

Ann
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 15, 2012, 07:53:51 pm
Thanks for the reply Ann, I'm now getting more calmed down. I was just worried because I had developed mild sore throat and running nose, this made me think immediately of what I did in my last incident with the therapist (hand job and sucking her nipples), had a connection to it. I have been confused because when I asked some health workers here, most of them would say it's a risk, while in the net it's not when I went to surf some information. So when I ask the health workers why they say it's a risk they just tell me that it is still bodily secretion and if you have cuts or sores in your mouth then it's a risk.   
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 15, 2012, 10:30:52 pm
Knowing that the incident I got into had a no risk for HIV infection. Is it safe to say that I should put all these anxieties to rest. Treat my mild sore throat as a simple sore throat and no need to get tested? Thanks for your support. Till my next concern.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 16, 2012, 06:13:30 am
Hello Ann, just talked with my doc a while ago, he told me no need to take any tests anymore unless another sexual encounter again which is unprotected. Thanks. Your explanation was same as his. The only difference is that he told me that condoms are not 100 percent protection just but still it is a very good protection. Thanks.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Andy Velez on July 16, 2012, 08:37:02 am
Nothing is 100% safe except sex with your own hand. But properly worn and without any breakage, condoms have a solid and longstanding record of providing very effective protection against HIV transmission.

Get on with your life. You are worrying unnecessarily. Really.   
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 16, 2012, 10:11:38 am
Thanks Andy, I feel so relieved. Thanks to all of you guys.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Andy Velez on July 16, 2012, 11:02:53 am
You're welcome, Joe.

On with your life!
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 16, 2012, 06:39:01 pm
Hello Andy, I just woke up and still have running nose and mild sore throat. Do you think that getting a test again after one month would put my little anxiety to rest. I feel relieved already, but there is still a little doubt that is playing at the back of my mind and it some how bothers me, or based on your assessment of my case with your expertise in the field is confident I really don't need any test anymore. This running nose and mild sore throat is really making me a little bit worried. But no fever and other stuff. Thanks.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 16, 2012, 11:59:03 pm
Hello rapid rod, since your here at the moment, can I ask a question and please give me your opinion on my last question. My question, can you get infected when during the handjob, I got scratched by the therapist in the groin area which irritated my skin but didn't bleed. Thanks.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: RapidRod on July 17, 2012, 12:00:37 am
No you cannot get infected by masturbation scratch or no scratch.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 17, 2012, 12:04:02 am
So you mean no need for any test? What so ever? I just hate the timing of my mild sore throat because it really makes me doubt about my HIV status
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: RapidRod on July 17, 2012, 12:05:45 am
No you don't need to test.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 17, 2012, 12:10:29 am
Thanks rapid rod, you answer short and straight, nobody has gotten infectected in those manner I suppose. Your confident answer makes me feel at ease. Thanks.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Andy Velez on July 17, 2012, 08:06:50 am
Now I am going to warn you that if you continue to return here about worries and what ifs over a non-risk incident, you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site. You have not had a risk and as long as you consistently and properly use condoms for vaginal/anal intercourse you won't have a problem in terms of sexual risk. HIV is a fragile virus and only transmitted in certain specific ways which have been explained to you.

Consider yourself warned.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Joe1 on July 17, 2012, 08:45:18 pm
Sorry for posting some non-risk incident. I was just really worried anyway, I am now satisfied with your answers. So till the next question that I'll be encounter regarding HIV. Thanks and my apologies.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Andy Velez on July 18, 2012, 07:00:01 am
Fortunately fears and doubts aren't facts. And you have no facts to support your fears about HIV.

Cut it out and get on with your life.

Last warning: if you come back again with more what ifs you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site. HIV is not your problem. Period.
Title: Please help explain what is going on.
Post by: Joe1 on July 24, 2012, 12:17:22 pm
Guys, is it HIV related when everytime I wake up anytime in the wee hours of the night and feeling that my body is feeling shivering? I'm on maintenance medicine for high blood currently. It happened to be 2 days now. I don't have fever and stuff.  My last incident was just nipple sucking and handjob last July 5,2012. I'm also having palpitations and high blood pressure. Please don't penalize me I'm just worried again. Your explanation is highly appreciated. During the mornings, I'm alright. I'm suspecting it's my maintenance medicine's side effects. But I like to hear from you guys. Thank you very much.
Title: Please help explain
Post by: Joe1 on July 24, 2012, 12:30:29 pm
Right now, I feel my body is shaking and my extremities like hand and foot are experiencing like having little electricity. No fever and whatsoever. Just want to know if it's HIV related.
Title: Re: How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Post by: Ann on July 24, 2012, 12:31:05 pm
Joe,

Why on earth would it be hiv related when you have NOT had a risk for hiv infection? We have explained this to you at least twelve times already. Our answers are not going to change.

Talk to your doctor about this. We cannot help you here.

I'm giving you that time out you've been warned about. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.

Ann