POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: 120Worried on July 13, 2006, 11:24:19 pm
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Is this something to be concerned about?
I went to a testing center and my test was administered before the previous person's test was finished. It was a 20-minute Ora-quick blood test. My test was given while they were still waiting on the results of the previous person (that vial was still in the tray).
What concerns me is that I did not see the nurse take out a lancet for my test, one was already on the table. I remember wondering if this was a problem. As it happened, that lancet did not work so she used another one (I saw her remove this from a drawer).
The test came back negative, but I have been worrying that the previous lancet may have possibly left some kind of blood on my finger and my finger was not cleaned again before the use of the second lancet. I think these lancets may be the one-use variety so I am thinking that the first did not work because it was already used. How often do lancets not work for reasons other than they have already been used? Worst-case, if it had already been used and did not puncture my skin, but was placed against it before a new lancet, is that a risk?
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Zero chance. Zero risk.
Zero.
They don't re-use lancets. No way, no how.
John
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But even if, that would be absurd right? Is it not uncommon for these lancets to not work for reasons other than they have already been used?
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120worried,
A few things to consider here:
Lancets at testing centers are single use.
Because of the speed of the lancet, it only comes away with the slightest trace of blood, if any.
Within 1 min, should it be infected, the trace blood would degrade and be unable to infect. (We are not talking about hollow bore needles here)
Your concern is way beyond far-fetched.
No risk.
Morgan
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Morgan,
Thank you very much for your information. I know that the second lancet did not draw any visible blood on itself when it punctured my finger. This makes sense from what I saw. Since you seem to know something about the process though, would it raise any eyebrows for you if the lancet did not work? Or is that not something that is confined to ones that have already been used?
Thanks again...
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120Worried,
The only time I have ever known a lancet not to work is when it is single use and has been used. It's a safety feature. (That and, of course, if it's used improperly)
You would know this is the case because when trying to use it, you would hear no click from the release and, of course, receive no puncture.
Again, this is a no-risk issue for you.
Morgan
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So does that mean that you would expect that lancet to have been used previously? It was over a mintue before the second one was used... Is that good enough for no risk?
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120,
You're splitting hairs here..... you said the lancet didn't work. That she got another that did.
Stop obsessing over this no-risk situation. No matter how you size it up it's a non-issue.
By indulging this discussion I wanted you to see that the absolute worst case scenario (previously used on hiv pos person) is still no risk for you ten minutes later.
And that's not to say that for one minute I believe that happened.... I don't. And according to what you've said, it didn't.
Use condoms for penetrative sex and you will avoid hiv infection.
Cheers,
Morgan
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120,
Sometimes brand-new, previously unused lancets fail to work properly. Just like anything in life, sometimes you get a lemon.
You are hiv negative and here's how to stay that way: 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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.
Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.
Please also read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and follow the links for more information.
Use condoms and avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.
Ann
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Thank you everyone.
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One quick clarification, if you will allow me just one more question please...
When you said that even in the worst-case scenario there "is still no risk for you ten minutes later," that number was arbitrary right? If I understood you correctly, the amount of material from the scenario I described would be sufficiently decayed after 1 minute so as to pose no risk right? So even, if the WORST CASE in this happened after 5 minutes, your statement would still apply correct?
I know this may seem like splitting hairs (again!) but if you would be willing to help me out one final time, I'd greatly appreciate it!
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120,
You did not have a risk of hiv infection in what you brought to us. Ten minutes or ten seconds, you didn't have a risk.
Ann
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I was a strip club and the woman allowed me to touch her body while masterbating. At one point she touched the oustide of her vagina and lightly touched my scrotum and legs. I don't know whether or not there was anything on her fingers. Is there any risk associated with this?
Please note that I started an unrelated thread in the past, but when I typed my screenname into the search engine, nothing came up. I apologize that this is not on that other thread.
Thank You.
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Here is your orginal thread. http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=1834.0 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=1834.0) Please keep all your questions and thoughts in your Orginal Thread.
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I was a strip club and the woman allowed me to touch her body while masterbating. At one point she touched the oustide of her vagina and lightly touched my scrotum and legs. I don't know whether or not there was anything on her fingers. Is there any risk associated with this?
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Sorry. I posted the question again in the original thread a couple hours ago. Feel free to delete this one and I apologize for the screw-up. Thanks again.
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Worried,
NO. This latest thing you have written about falls under the heading of mutual masturbation and it is NOT a risk for hiv infection by any stretch of the imagination.
Please read through the Transmission Lesson found in the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0).
Ann
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Worried,
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.
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 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Ann
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Thanks for that. So I can completely, unequivically, put this behind me right?
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120,
Yes.
Morgan
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Thank you Morgan and Ann. I appreciate your advice. I looked through the lessons section and I wanted to ask you another question. It said "When in doubt test" for one of the sections. Can I take this to mean that this is not even a "doubt" situation. It is 100% non-necessary to test? I didn't see it specifically address the mutual masterbation issue.
As it happened, I don't think there was any fluid on her finger and even if there was, it was only in the vicinity of an area that would be a worry. Thanks again for your advice. I know that these questions are often repepitive.
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120,
This is a 100% non-test situation.
Regards,
MtD
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I thank you for your information.
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You're very welcome.
MtD
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So is it safe to say that nobody has ever been infected through mutual masterbation? This incident, I wouldn't think, would even justify that label seeing as how she just brushed her her finger in the area.
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120,
Not one person has ever been infected through mutual masturbation and you will not be the first.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.
Ann