information abouts trasmission

[melody]

Hello Everyone. Before asking I'd like to apologize both for my English and if the question is stupid.
I'm worried: 2 months ago I used a public toilet and I sat on it. I then noticed that there was a white liquid on the toilet seat and I don't remember if I directly touched the toilet seat with my privates.
What are the possibilities of infections with hiv in this situation? What if the liquid were infected secretion and I touched it?
Sorry again and thank you for your attention.

[RapidRod]

Zero. HIV is not transmitted off environmental surfaces.

[melody]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply, RapidRod.
As far as I know, hiv is only transmitted by direct contacts, is it true?
Has any case of indirect contagion been recorded?

[Andy Velez]

Let's be clearer about that term "direct contact." Sexually the only confirmed risks for transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. All of the other possibilities which people worry about are really only "theoretically" risks. In the real world of HIV we know it's all about unprotected intercourse. As long as you consistently use condoms for those activities you will be well protected.

[melody]

Thank you Andy Velez.
Maybe I didn't explain myself very well, though: what I meant for "direct contact" entails both unprotected intercourses, blood to blood transmission and mother to child transmission.
My question was if any other possible transmission (as the example I reported in my first post) have been recorded. I mean, how easy is it for a person to get hiv in a sometimes dirty place like a public bathroom?

[RapidRod]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions, therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

[melody]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions, therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

That's what I meant for direct contact!
There's the need to contact an infected person's blood/fluid to become infected, right? That's why doctors say not to worry about objects (like toilet seats) with blood or fluids on it. Am I right or wrong?

Thank you both for your clear answer and sorry again.

[Ann]

Mel,

You're not going to get hiv from toilet seats and you're not going to get any other sexually transmitted infection from them either.

As an adult, the only way you're going to become hiv positive is by sharing needles with an hiv positive person or having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with someone who has hiv. And that's it.

Here's what you need to know in order to remain hiv negative:

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.

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

[Andy Velez]

That's right. Environmental surfaces such as toilet seats are absolutely not a risk for HIV transmission. Period.

[melody]

Thank you so much for your exhaustive (and reassuring!) answers!
Actually, as I am a blood donor, I check up regurarly twice a year and always pay much attention on my health, that's why I was so worried about getting hiv so easily from a toilet seat.
I have a stable relationship but we always use condoms (Ann, thank you for your links!).

Now I feel much better, a big thank you to all who have helped me to clarify my doubts and put my mind at ease.
Cheers

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome.