POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: sigrid on November 15, 2006, 11:38:06 am
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Hey,
I'm a Belgian woman and found this site recently. The last few days have been horrendous... I'll explain myself. I've been married for 9 years, and I've never had sex with anyone else but my husband. Last week we both found oud we had genital warts, which is bad enough. I've never been unfaithful, neither had he, he swore it on our children's head, so I believe him. Then we started to think about how he could have been infected. It turns out that he used someone else's towel in the swimming pool, twice he noticed that his towel had been used, and he used it as well. Today he told me that he used a woman's tampon!! to wipe his... after he had been to the toilet (he had diarrea and there was no toilet paper). I know this sounds extremely dirty, but he used the clean part!!!. This happened during his trip to paris. So her blood could have been in contact with his genital area. I have been crying all evening, I am always so careful and then he behaves so unhygienically. Could he have contracted the hiv virus?
Thank you,
Sigrid
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sigrid,
There is no way your husband could have become infected with hiv through this tampon incident. (and I can't see warts being transmitted this way either) Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. Please read through the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and follow the Transmission Lesson link found there.
Ann
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Thank you very much for your quick answer! I want him to get tested anyway, I know I won't be able to function before i see it black on white, but I can breath again. This is a great site, and I'm sure a comfort and support to many people. I wish the best to everyone!
Greetings from Belgium!
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sigrid,
It might not be a bad idea for you BOTH to have complete sexual health care check ups, considering that you've recently discovered genital warts. It would be best to get an all-clear on EVERYTHING for BOTH of you.
Ann
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Hello,
Sorry to bother you but since a few weeks I'm totally flipping out so here's my situation (sorry for my poor English).
My 5-year-old girl had an accident at school. She bumped into a boy while they were running, and there was severe bleeding on both sides. Her gums were bleeding heavily and two teeth died. The (African) boy she had a collision with blead as well, he hurt his front head. This happened at the 20th of May. Last week, my daughter was very ill. Lack of energy, no appetite, swollen lymph nodes and a fever. The doctor thought she might have mononucleosis but didn't test it, although there were signs in het blood that suggested this disease (this was a quick test at the emergency room). She was ill for about 4 days, now she is all better with no signs of illness.
Since then I'm not functioning any more. I look at her and think she doesn't have a future, I'm really going insane. I'm afraid to talk to a doctor because it's such a delicate subject.
Would you be so kind to give me your opinion?
Sigird
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Sig,
Yes, you are overreacting and NO, there is NO chance of hiv transmission occuring in this way. Besides, just because the other child is African doesn't mean he's hiv positive.
Ann
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Thank you for your answer. I have deep respect for all the people who are willing to answer our questions. I am still a bit concerned (it's probably all in my mind...), but I realize that the chances of infection are very small. Thanks once again.
Sigrid
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but I realize that the chances of infection are very small. Thanks once again.
I'm glad you've found the exchange useful, Sig but this is a NO risk situation not a small risk situation.
MtD
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I know, here I am again...
I understand that there is no risk according to you. But I can't seem to get rid of the idea that the boy's blood from his forehead (which was bleeding a lot) entered my daughter's bloodstream via her lip which was cut, or through the gums above het 4 front teeth while they bumped into each other. It took her two weeks to heal.
The reason I'm so scared is she was so ill during 4 days, and the doctor couldn't find anything specific. When I read the symptoms of primary infection, I recognize at least 4 of them. After 4 days, she was miraculously better, although she had a fever of 40 ° C the previous evening.
Am I a hypochondriac? Yes, I am. But also hypochondriacs get ill...
Thank you, and sorry for bothering you.
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sig,
If you cannot bring yourself to believe us, take her to her doctor, explain your worries and ask for a test to put your mind at rest. Don't be surprised if the doctor tells you testing is unnecessary.
Ann
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Thank you Ann for your answer. I' ve contacted her doctor, who is willing to have her tested because I'm so worried, but she agrees that it is quasi impossible for such a thing to happen.
I've contacted the school director who told me that according to her, the boy is in good health although parents are not obliged to disclose.
I acknowledge I have a problem, and the problem is probably not hiv, but in my mind. I haven't stopped crying for days so I think it's about time I go and see someone who can help me.
I've consumed enough of your time, it's time for me to move on and deal with my problems.
Sig
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Hallo again,
I can imagine you thinking, there she is again, and I'm really sorry for bothering you again...
I'm having my daughter tested in two days (six-week-test) and I'm seeing a psychologist tomorrow for the first time. And it's really necessary, because I'm going crazy...
I understand that the 'collision' was too short to infect my daughter. But when I arrived at school to collect my daughter, the teacher who had taken care of the boy and my daughter came to me, and put her finger in my daughter's mouth to show me the damage. So clearly she was not being hygienic.
What if she touched the boy's head first and her fingers were covered with some drops of blood, and then opened my dauhter's mouth and touched her wounded lip and gums with the boy's blood on her finger? What is the chance of infection in that case? 90%?
When she was so ill three weeks ago, her blood was drawn and revealed that she was very low on lymphocytes. When I google, I notice this is typical for hiv+ people... which scares me even more.
I promise I won't bother you again, but I don't know what else to do until I see a doctor in two days.
A desparate mother
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What if she touched the boy's head first and her fingers were covered with some drops of blood, and then opened my dauhter's mouth and touched her wounded lip and gums with the boy's blood on her finger? What is the chance of infection in that case? 90%?
Sig,
The chance of hiv infection in the situation you outline is 0. ZERO. NIL. NADA.
I've been hiv positive for ten years and my lymphocytes have always been in the normal range. You cannot discover a person's hiv status going by the lymphocyte results. The lymphocytes we monitor are a subgroup and don't normally have a noticeable effect on the overall lymphocyte count.
I hope for your daughter's sake you can put this behind you soon. Children pick up on things and she's going to end up thinking something is wrong with her. She could not possibly have hiv from this collision or the aftercare she received. Seriously.
Ann
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Thanks Ann, for your answer. I was already thinking the immediate unhygienic aftercare was responsible for her infection... I wasn't there when it happened so I don't know what exactly happened. But the teacher must have opened my daughter's mouth to have a look at the wounds, and I'm sure she didn't wash her hand first. She first touched the boy's head and then took care of my daughter, according to my daughter.
I know my attitude is bad for my daughter. I keep interrogating her about the event, although it happened more than a month ago. She doesn't understand why I'm always speaking about this boy I never mentioned before. I also hope I can put this behind me, because I'm not good company at the moment, ask my husband! You probably don't think highly of me, but I appreciate you all the more. Being Hiv+ and answering all those hypochondriacs must be difficult at times.
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Sig-
Ann stated it eloquently. As a parent, you have the responsibility to not pass neuroses and phobias on to your children. You seriously need to get a grip and seek the advice of a mental health professional.
I'll also add that the teacher was responding to a medical urgency (children loosing teeth and bleeding in the playground requires immediate attention). Her actions were to be commended, anything else would have been irresponsible on her part.
Brent
(Who remembers all kinds of childhood scrapes)
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Here I am again...
Today I finally tested my 5-year-old daughter. I bought an online selftest (from mirates, which is produced in china) and it was delivered today. Two hours ago, I did the test. I had to collect blood through a fingerprick (needle inserted in finger) and 15 minutes later I got the result: hiv negative. I was so happy, for about 5 minutes.
Then I got scared again: what if the fingerprick needle had been (deliberatly I suppose) infected with hiv??? In that case I would have infected my own daughter!!! The test came from china, is not approved but it claims to be 100% liable, and was in a sterile packing. Of course I could not check the needle first. Can my daugther be infected this way???
I know I'm insane, but please answer my question
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Then I got scared again: what if the fingerprick needle had been (deliberatly I suppose) infected with hiv??? In that case I would have infected my own daughter!!! The test came from china, is not approved but it claims to be 100% liable, and was in a sterile packing. Of course I could not check the needle first. Can my daugther be infected this way???
Yeah those sneaky red Chinese are just dreaming up evil ways to infect good American children. ::)
Sigrid -- get a grip. If this was just about you I wouldn't be concerned but you're letting your totally outlandish fears about HIV affect your child and that is just not acceptable.
Make an appointment with a mental health professional without delay and get the help you so obviously need.
This is not an HIV risk, by the way.
MtD
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Thanks for your answer Matty. I don't even want to know what you think of me...
I think I have this problem because I have no control over this virus. It can do harm to my family, no matter how much care I take of them.
So, i know I'm really annoying you now (sorry):
let's suppose the needle was infected with hiv in the sealed package, would it be possible to infect someone, hypothetically speaking?
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Hey! Are you overreacting? YES! is the answer.
Stop with these what ifs and impossing your anxieties on your child in this manner. Get some professional help if you can't get this under control and find out what's driving your fears.
At its best life is too short to be wasted in this manner. No kidding.
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I found out that the lancet was made in a very reputable firm in England, and that it was totally sterile. Then I remembered I rubbed my daughter's wound on the sample well in order to get enough blood on the test case. Was this an hiv risk? Does the sample well contain hiv? I know it detects antibodies, but in my mind lots of things are happening again. My kitchen was nearly on fire today because I forgot I had put something on a hot stove... my hands are burned. I know i ask stupid questions but please just answer this last one. Then just ban me from your site. As my show of appreciation I will do a donation for hiv-patients.
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sig,
Hiv does not remain intact and able to infect when it is outside the human body. It cannot be transmitted in the environment. It is transmitted INSIDE the human body - as in UNPROTECTED anal or vaginal intercourse.
I would suggest you find yourself a counselor/therapist who can help you with your hiv related anxieties. None of them have a basis in the science of hiv and you are worrying needlessly. We cannot help you with that anxiety here - you need to see someone face-to-face.
Ann
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Hello,
Today I was in the elevator when I noticed there was a lot of blood on the door I had just opened. There is a big chance I touched this blood. Now I am really worried. My hands are very dry at the moment, with a lot of cracks and scaling because of the cold wheather. I don't know how old this blood was, assume it was only there since a few minutes and i touched this blood with my hand (it was a heavy door) what is my risk of being infected (and assume this was hiv infected blood)?
Thank you for your reply.
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Sig,
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.
Re-read your thread. We've already explained to you that hiv is not transmitted from environmental objects. It just doesn't happen this way.
Yes, I understand you touched blood. Yes, I understand you have cracks in the skin on your hand. NO RISK. NONE.
Ann
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Thanks Ann for your quick answer, you are truly an angel. It is true, you have always been right before, so I'll try to believe you this time as well. I hope my ratio wins this time... I don't want to waist another 3 months of my life, my kids need me, and my husband, who was actually with me in the elevator, deserves better. I really hope I have nothing to worry about, so I can move on with my life.
Thanks
Sigrid
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Sigrid, I'm wondering if it might not be a good idea for you to see a therapist and talk about your recent concerns. Reading over what you have written in the past months, there is a pattern of what I consider to be excessive worrying about HIV. I'm thinking it might be helpful for you to talk with a professional and do some sorting out.
Just a thought. Like Ann of course I agree that your latest incident was another no risk event.
Cheers.
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Sorry guys, here I am again :'(. I know I will be banned but please just answer this last question.
I went shopping today and suddenly I fainted. I fell and hurt my leg badly. I was brought to the nearest hospital, not a very good one... I had to wait in a small room. While I was waiting for the doctor, they asked me to undress myself so I was bare foot. I walked a small distance (it wasn't broken). Then I notice small splashes of blood around me. Apparently they hadn't cleaned the emergence room, there was even blood on the plastic bag that contained sterile pieces of cloth to clean a wound. I knew they would draw blood so i took this bag because i didn't want them to use that one on me.
So I had to go forth and back to the bin, i even saw paper with blood on it as the bin was completely full. What if i walked on blood (the floor was dark so i can't tell wheter there was blood or anything else like vomit on it). I had walked for hours, and my feet really hurt, and I had a fresh wound (not bleeding any more) from falling. What if i walked on blood? These rooms are always in use, so the blood was fresh.
As you see, I am worried again...
Thanks (and I do admit I worry excessively about hiv).
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Sig,
You're right. I'm giving you a time out.
Re-read your thread and re-read your thread and RE-READ your thread until it sinks in that you will not become infected with hiv from blood or other fluids that are outside the body and on environmental surfaces such as the floor or a plastic bag.
I urge you to seek professional therapy to help you cope with your extreme hiv phobia. We cannot help you with that here.
Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann