Confused

[Claudiac]

Hi,

I am 18 and had an unsettling experience recently that is playing on my
Mind. I think I am being a bit naive about how hiv is transmitted, I have read your lessons on transmission but I'm still confused!

I am very new to the world of gynaecologists etc... And I have been concerned because my periods stopped suddenly. I didn't have unprotected sex. I went to
see the gyny and she did a lot of tests and I was really unsettled by the smear test. Not only was it really horrible but I left really concerned with the procedure. There was alot of equipment being put inside me and I have no idea if it was clean or had been used before, I was scared and shut my eyes, she couldn't find my cervix and so she was prodding and poking a lot! I didn't feel I could question the doctor as I am only 18, I thought she might think I was rude and I can't talk to
My mum about this stuff!

So my question is if the speculum or any of the other equipment that she used on me internally was used before and not cleaned could I get hiv from it? Is it something that when I go to doctors I need to think about?

Thanks and sorry if it's a really stupid question I just don't really understand enough.

C

[Jeff G]

I'm sorry you found the procedure so traumatizing ... being a man I can only imagine what it must be like to have to go though this for the first time . Its important for you to continue to have these kinds of checkups in order to be proactive with and protective for your health so I am very relieved that you have reached out for more information so you can empower yourself through knowledge and perhaps become more comfortable having these crucial checkups in the future .

Sterilization and standards are put in place to assure you are benefiting from these procedures so you can count that you were not at risk for HIV are other infections when you have this done . I would suggest you call or visit your clinic and be honest with them by telling them you need a better exclamation of the procedures and safe practices that are in place in the clinic you attend . I bet you if you tell them that this was your first time and you really want to know more about the procedure so that you can calm any more anxiety you may have for future visits that they will show you compassion and understanding .

If a clinic or healthcare worker is not willing to put you at ease then its time to find a new team to look after your needs . I am confident if you call and ask them they will understand and put your mind at ease .

Here is some helpful information to help you avoid HIV in your everyday life . You did not have a risk for HIV from the concerns you discussed but there is good info here all the same . I'm wishing you the very best .

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 did not have a risk and do not need to test for 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. 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!

   

[Claudiac]

Thanks for your reply Jeff.

Yes it was horrible but it won't put me off!

The information you provided is really good,thanks. While they think they educate us about this at school they don't really tell us much. Often using scare tactics!

Is it a no risk for anything environmental even if it goes inside the body? Why is this as at school we were told it can take days for hiv outside the body to longer be able to infect. Is this wrong?

Thanks again.

[Jeff G]

HIV is fragile and hard to transmit . Once outside the human body small changes in temperature and PH levels damage HIV and render it unable to infect ... instantly .

HIV does not remain viable or able to infect on environmental surfaces . It applies to your concerns as well ... your doctors are aware of HIV and would not expose you to it in this manner even if it was a risk ... and it was not . 

[Claudiac]

Wow Jeff I seriously had no idea it was instantly! Such a shame that sex ed teachers aren't teaching us this.

Thanks again

[Jeff G]

Wow Jeff I seriously had no idea it was instantly! Such a shame that sex ed teachers aren't teaching us this.

Thanks again

There is allot of misinformation on the internet and lots of opinions that get passed around as facts . We rely on the latest scientific peer reviewed science for our assessments .