Just another worried well; but of course I think I will be different.

[unknownerror]

Hi everyone-

My girlfriend works for a HIV/AIDS organization and regularly works with known-positive clients in a setting where they must exchange papers and materials... recently she received a paper with what she stated was a small amount of blood spatter. She didn't think much of it at the time, but now she is very concerned that she may have touched this blood spatter and this fear is hieghtened in her mind because she tends to be a 'picker' and regularly makes herself bleed...  along with a good amount of paper cuts too...

I really do understand the risks are probably nil to none involving this mentioned exposure, but just so I can relieve her fears I want to get info straight from the source. Is there any risk in this type of exposure? I could understand that if the blood was fresh and she had a deep cut (I'm trying not to get into the if's too much) that it MIGHT be a risk, but it seems to me that the paper would soak up much of it and probably kill the virus. Am I wrong on this hypothesis?

Thanks,
unknownerror

[RapidRod]

She works where? With whom? Yes, you need to sit down and educate her. There was no risk what so ever.

[Andy Velez]

I agree with Rod.

HIV is a fragile virus. It's not easily transmitted and certainly not through the kinds of incidents you have described or are concerned about.

Please read the lesson on this site about Transmission. She should read it as well. Anyone who's working in a setting which involves those who are HIV+ should be better informed than she is, both for her sake and the comfort of clients she is serving. You can find a link to the lesson in the Welcome thread which begins this section.

Cheers,

[unknownerror]

Hi All-

So first, I want to thank everyone here for selflessly helping all of us worried wells. I'm in that boat again, after what I think was a safe encounter. I am a male.

About 1 year ago I met a woman and had a one-night stand involving unprotected oral sex (both giving and receiving) and protected vaginal intercourse. I wouldn't put her in a high risk category at all; she is a single mom of one and stated she did not have any STD's when I discussed my worry about STD's during our 'intimate' time. I didn't have any ARS symptoms or anything similar; however I still have this nagging feeling (of course). I've tested HIV- prior to this incident via the rapid oral swab method, and every full STD panel I've had has come back negative.

Now that I've had some time to reflect on the incident I'm beginning to get really worried... I guess my big question is should I get retested after this one encounter? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to my question here; however I could really use a good slapping around from the moderators.

Thanks,
unknownerror

[Ann]

Un,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread. It doesn't matter how much time has passed between your posts, we still want you to keep all your posts in the one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

About 1 year ago I met a woman and had a one-night stand involving unprotected oral sex (both giving and receiving) and protected vaginal intercourse. I wouldn't put her in a high risk category at all...

You need to understand that PEOPLE are NOT high or low risk, ACTIVITIES are. It's not who you do, it's how you do it that matters.

Nothing you did or had done to you are risks for hiv infection. Not low risk, NO risk. And certainly not high risk.

Neither getting a blowjob nor going down on a woman are risks for hiv infection. Not one person has ever been infected this way and you won't be the first.

Protected intercourse is just that - protected. Condoms have been proven to prevent 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 all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER THIS SPECIFIC 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.

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

Ann

[unknownerror]

Ann-

Thanks again for the steady stream of down-to-earth factual info; it really helps. Its funny that worry can cause so much fear and pain; and not necessarily based on factual info.

Despite the facts; I'm still torn on whether I should get tested because of this singular incident; its pretty scary when you are 'in the moment' so to speak. I'm not one to deal with worry well; and this is pretty obvious by me coming to this forum.

Would I be wasting time (and goverment money) to seek out another free rapid test in my area?

Thanks,
unknownerror

[Ann]

Un,

It's your call. If you need to test for peace of mind, then go test. Just don't be surprised by your negative results.

Ann