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Author Topic: HIV outside the body  (Read 4899 times)

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Offline katipo15

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  • Posts: 4
HIV outside the body
« on: January 26, 2007, 01:41:54 pm »
Hello everyone,

I have read the transmission/testing pages upon entering this forum.  And I do apologize for what seems like a silly question.

I have met this beautiful woman whom I care more for than anything else.  I seem to have developed a phobia where I am afraid of infecting her with HIV even though I have not put myself at risk.

Last night I was walking along and stepped in wet, fresh blood.

I'm afraid that I could contaminate myself by using the bathroom (touching my penis) or rolling on a condom after perhaps picking something off the ground that I have walked on with my dirty shoes....

Or can I be safe in assuming that if I am NOT:
Using needles,
Having unprotected sex,
engaging in other risky acts

That I will not get HIV and put my partner at risk?

THank you in advance...

Offline ACinKC

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Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2007, 01:49:27 pm »
HIV transmission does not happen from street blood to shoe to infecting anyone.  It doesnt work like that.  If you are not SHARING needles or having unprotected sex then you will be AOK to proceed.

HIV is VERY hard to get and transmit.  It is fragile and does not live outside the body.
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2007, 01:52:14 pm »
Just to add on to what KC has correctly said, nothing you have reported is a concern in terms of HIV transmission.

But I can't help wondering if you would find it worthwihle to talk with a therapist and discuss your concerns. What you have written sounds like thoughts and feelings rather than anything grounded in HIV science.
Andy Velez

Offline katipo15

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  • Posts: 4
Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2007, 02:01:31 pm »
Thank you Andy and ACinKC,

I appreciate your time and do apologize if I have offended anyone for what is seen as a no risk exposure to blood.

You are correct in stating that this fear is thought and feeling based.  I do feel that it was my fault that I stepped in this blood - that I was careless for not seeing it.  And 'creating' this situation in my head where I fear that I will infect my gfriend.  I believe I have met a wonderful person and with my own fears I am destroying a chance of being happy with her.

Maybe I should go with the flow and enjoy life rather than fear what hasn't happened...easier said than done though...

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2007, 03:10:07 pm »
Stick with enjoying getting to know this person you care about better and letting yourself be known as well.

Very often the things we worry about never happen or happen differently than we fear. But living in the worry prevents you from being present in your life, so work on staying present and let the future take care of itself.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline katipo15

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  • Posts: 4
Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2007, 05:42:37 pm »
Hello,

I hope I have done the right thing by adding to the post created by myself a while ago.

I was planning to get tested in about 6 weeks, not for any particular risky exposure but as a routine test that my girlfriend and I agreed on before considering unproctected sex since it is an monagamous relationship.

My mind is starting to play 'what if's?' with me... I was eating at a restaurant and had a drink with a garnish of orange on the side of the glass... without thinking I ate half of the orange then before eating the other half I noticed red stuff on it...  At first I dismissed it and thought it could be that it was stored next to the cocktail cherries and had some of their red rubbed on it.  Then my mind went into overload the next day and thought "what if it was blood?"

I do think the risk is low but concerned since I do need to get tested at 3 months for peace of mind and can't bear the thought of waiting that long again...and she's received a negative test back so it's all up to me.

Do you think there is even the slightist possibility given that I had a split lip?

Offline ACinKC

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Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2007, 05:45:15 pm »
NO possibility.  Really you should read our lessons on transmission.  It seems as though you are focused on aquiring HIV from an environmental surface and it just doesnt happen that way.  I sense more of these posts from you and just as an FYI, you'll get the same answers.
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2007, 05:46:29 pm »
NO

Offline katipo15

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: HIV outside the body
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2007, 05:57:25 pm »
Thanks for your repsonse and time.  I won't repeat my question again.  I do understand that  I have an issue with believing the facts of transmission and was hoping for reassurance that I am indeed right in thinking that it is no to low risk.  I'm not sure why I have trouble beleiving it because I do know 1+1=2.

I do know that it stems from the fear of destroying someone else's life - this is the basis of it...I don't want to hurt my girlfriend who I care about more than anything...which seems to override logic and what we know about how real transmission occurs.

I have tried counselling and not sure where to go from here.

 


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