POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: remix99 on September 08, 2008, 08:25:13 pm
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Hi I had a question - Ive read somewhere that some people will not show up for HIV antibodies if they have a supressed immune system such as cancer - I tested negative - thing is ...how do you really know cause someone could have a supressed immune system while being tested for HIV and not even know they have cancer ..what are your thoughts on this - thanks
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It it not cancer that causes the suppressed immune system, it is the extensive chemotherapy, whose purpose it is to wipe out all of the immune system, that can delay seroconversion.
Trust me, you would know.
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When JK says you would know, he means it. When an immune system is seriously supressed it very quickly becomes evident because so much goes really wrong at the same time. It's way beyond a bad flu or something like that. It's more like the body is collapsing.
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Sorry if this is dumb question - my question is say a person is HIV Positive and undergoes treatment - is it possible that they test negative for HIV during the antibody test after sometime after successfull treatment with meds or all HIV postive people no matter how supressed the virus is in there system test positive?
Thanks
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No, once they reliably test positive with a confirming test, then even if their viral load should become undetectable, (as can happen during treatment), they will still test positive for an HIV test.
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Remix,
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.
Is there a specific incident that has you worried and asking these questions?
Ann
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Thank U for the responses guys! I had two more questions - Me and my girlfriend dont engage in sexual intercourse but she performs oral sex on me and there were several times where she performed oral sex on me unprotected - im negative for HIV 1/2 - is there a risk even if I was positive by performing oral sex on a male - we currently use protection now! Also I had a question about touching her vaginal fluids and then touching my penis to masterbate after - does this pose as a risk? Also her masterbating me and getting precum on her hands then touching herself - is that a risk for HIV also? I dont know I am a worry wart and have alot of anxiety and hypochondria!
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Thank U for the responses guys! I had two more questions - Me and my girlfriend dont engage in sexual intercourse but she performs oral sex on me and there were several times where she performed oral sex on me unprotected - im negative for HIV 1/2 - is there a risk even if I was positive by performing oral sex on a male - we currently use protection now! Also I had a question about touching her vaginal fluids and then touching my penis to masterbate after - does this pose as a risk? Also her masterbating me and getting precum on her hands then touching herself - is that a risk for HIV also? I dont know I am a worry wart and have alot of anxiety and hypochondria!
There is absolutely no risk to via touching her vaginal fluids and touching your penis to masturbate right after that. Nor is her masturbating you and getting your precum on her hand and then perhaps touching, fingering or masturbating herself. None of those activities are risks for transmission.
As far as her performing oral on a guy who is HIV positive, it's more of a theoretical risk than a real one. For instance, a longterm study of sero-discordant couples who had lots of unprotected oral mutually and only protected vaginal & anal intercourse resulted in not a single sero-negative partner becoming infected.
On the other hand if a guy was just seroconverting and someone sucked him who had an open sore in the mouth and ejaculation took place --- a combination of those facts could conceivably result in transmisson. From time to time we hear stories of people claiming to have become infected through giving oral. They have yet to hold up under careful scientific scrutiny.
So you have to decide where you comfort zone is about the issue and either use or not use protection for oral as you decide. If there is a risk it is miniscule and you have to decide if you can live with that.
Cheers,
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thanks for the responses! Much appreciated! Another question regarding HIV transmission - I had a cut on my finger where I was fingering my girlfriend - does this pose as a risk for HIV for her to get infected if I had the virus or me getting infected if she had HIV?
thank you
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sorry one last question also cause this has been bothering me as well... i went to use the toilet and the tip of my penis touched the the surface of the bowl? does this pose as a risk to hiv or any other stds?
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The answer to both of your questions is no, neither of those situations would pose a risk for HIV.
Read or re-read our lesson on Transmission. There's a link to it in the Welcome thread which opens this section. Sexually the only real risk for HIV is via unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse.
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My girlfriend performed oral sex on me and masterbated me with the condom on and cycled between oral sex and masterbation - i dont know why this has got me worried but what are the chances of the condom ripping or tearing a little and me or her not even noticing this? Any risk for HIV? Thanks
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No and no.
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thanks guys - back to my original question about HIV antibodies not showing up - ive read that the window period for most people is 3 months after exposure and the rest of the people will show antibodies at 6 months - im confused over this cause ive read that a supressed immune system will mess up results but does it mean no matter what after 6 months antibodies will show up in everyone? you mentioned the case of someone knowing it for sure if they were really really sick - but do they also show antibodies at 6 months?
thank u
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If you are not on Chemo, not taking anti-rejection drugs for a transplant or you are an Chronic IV drug abuser that shares works with other users, then your test is conclusive at 3 months.
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How about sharing razors...does that pose as a risk???
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Hi I was wondering if there were any chance of transferring HIV through tooth brushers, razors, or nail cutters? Like has there been cases of hiv transmission through household products such as these?
thanks
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remix,
No. However, there is a small chance of being infected with other illnesses when sharing other people's personal care items - so use your own. The other illnesses range from the common cold to hepatitis, but not hiv.
Hiv is a very fragile virus. Once it's outside the human body, small changes in temperature, moisture content and pH levels quickly damage the outer covering of the virus and render it unable to infect. The outer covering must be undamaged for it to be able to latch on to very specific cell types and infect.
Ann
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Hello once again... a recent incident has got me concerned...me and my girlfriend were celebrating our 1 year anniversarry and I had a few drinks and when we got back to the hotel she was on her period and I think had a maxi pad on from what I remember. I knew i couldnt finger her in the vagina so I started to finger her anally and while doing that she came on top of me but not fully ontop but with her legs in between mine but not fully on top - she was giving me a handjob as well but im not sure if it was for the entire time..my concern was ..what if the tip of my penis touched her vagina cause i think the maxi pad got misplaced when i was rubbing her vagina with her panties on ...I know i didnt go inside of her...but I think the tip of my penis touched her vagina ...does this pose as a risk...thank u for your time
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As before, there is no risk that any rational person would ascertain.
I have to ask you, if you are serious about A) developing an enduring relationship with this female and B) given your previous unfounded fear regarding HIV, why not simply both test, wait three months without having sexual contact, then test again? That way you could do whatever you both wanted, with pregnancy being your only calculable risk.
Will you remain this paranoid if you two engage? Marry? I have to ask, because you mentioned that this latest fear came on your one year anniversary. A year without expressed monogamy? Without mutual testing? Without security regarding one anther's HIV and STD status? That's an awfully long time.
For the record, there is no risk for HIV in the incident as you describe it, for HIV.
However, other STDS can indeed be spread through much more casual contact, including syphilis, gonorrhea, crabs, scabies, HPV, herpes, and others. And many of these STDs have absolutely no symptoms for a long time, especially in men. Ar you equally worried about these? If untreated, gonorrhea can render a man sterile and/or cause permanent heart damage. And Syphilis? Untreated, it will slowly spread through the blood - brain barrier and destroy the brain, rendering a patient blind and insane with no chance or recovery.
What I am saying is that learning the REAL risks for HIV infection and dealing with them is paramount. And also relevant to other STDs. If, after a year together, you are still unsure about your partner's HIV status, then perhaps it's time to take that step.
Life is too short to live in that sort of fear. For you and your beloved.
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Hi the other day I noticed that after fingering my girlfriend I had several cuts on my index finger and one was pretty deep but there was no blood visible or any dried blood - does this pose as a risk for HIV? like if I had it and i could pass it on to her or me getting it from her?
Thanks
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Re,
NO. Fingering is NOT a risk to either party. Yes, I read you had cuts. It's still NOT a risk.
Ann
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Thanks for answeiring - I have been trying to find the answer to this question as well...I live in Toronto Canada and im not sure what testing they do for HIV...would you guys happen to know if they tested for both HIV 1 and HIV 2...also i read upon HIV subtypes and im confused as ever...does hiv testing cover these subtypesÉ
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All tests that test for HIV 1, Group M can test for all subtypes. Canada uses MEIA and Rapid tests.
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thanks Rapid..so they dont do HIV 2
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so does that include type O as well...or are these subtypes nothing to be concerned about. sorry for asking twice
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The MEIA test is the same as the ELISA in the states and at 3 months even an standard ELISA will detected HIV 2. Most all rapid tests detect HIV 2, which is not prevelent in the US or Canada. Yes that includes groups M,N,O. The tests look for antibodies not groups or strains.
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Hi i went to get tested today and they did Rapid testing and the nurse said they test for HIV 1 and 2....my results were given within 2 min...when I said i wanted to get my blood drawn shes like...really? so i just went with the prick..and it was negative...then i asked about subtypes and she told me they dont test for O in the rapid scan...so is this test really accurate..thanks
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O is not a subtype it's a group.
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thanks rapidrod..where does Group O come from..and is there any risk of getting it or am i in the clear and also is the rapid test accurate?
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You never had a risk to begin with.
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Hi I am quoting Ann's reply to one other topic
The only people who might take a bit longer than three months to seroconvert and test positive are those on chemotherapy for cancer, anti-rejection drugs following organ transplant or have been injecting street drugs, every day, for YEARS. It's major stuff we're talking, not having a cold or similar.
I know you guys said someone would know if there immune system was wiped out..but I have alot of stress and my adrenals are shot so couldnt that mess up results..like giving a false negative for someone who has a autoimmune disease...so would a person even with cancer test positive after 6 months?
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re,
Autoimmune illnesses can cause false POSITIVES, not negatives.
Cancer does not cause any false hiv results. It's the treatment, the chemotherapy you quote me as citing, that might, MIGHT cause delayed seroconversion.
We're not here to continually hold you hand where hiv is concerned. We've given you what you need to know, now you need to LEARN what we've told you and APPLY it to your own life.
If you keep this up, you WILL be timed out.
Please consider yourself warned for the last time.
And by the way, YOU DON'T HAVE HIV!!!
Ann
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sorry I didnt even know i was doing something wrong..I was even warned the first time...i dont get it..
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sorry i meant to say i wasnt even warned the first time
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Hey I know i have posted many fearful questions before but I justt had to ask out of curiousty...I have seen a naturopathic doctor for the treatment of adrenal problems ..I will be taking DHEA and Pregnalone which will restore my levels back to optimal levels...some people even get treated for adrenal fatigue with hydrocortisone which seems to help...if I decided to get tested during this process will taking hormone replacement therapy effect any HIV tests...and also ..ive read that taking hydrocortisone is immunosupressive and can effect antibody production is HIV tests but isnt hydrocortisone the same as having alot of cortisol in the system naturally from being very very stressed which alot of people are....this confuses me...thanks and I am being treated for my anxiety with a pyschologist and my naturopath....so I understand my unwarrented fears from before and I appologize for that but this is a general question ..thank you..
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remix,
Unless you've been having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse you didn't tell us about, I fail to understand why you're STILL fretting about testing.
YOU DO NOT HAVE HIV and your previous negative results have already established that.
Please address any further questions to your doctor. We're finished here.
YOU DO NOT HAVE HIV. Please seek counseling to get to the bottom of why you cannot accept your negative hiv status.
I'm giving you that time out you've been warned about. Please use this time to address your unwarranted fears in the proper setting.
Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann
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Hi - just had a question about a recent incident - my neighbor needed help moving a new washer and dryer and lifted it up from the bottom on some sharp edges and I cut myself on various fingers on both hands - does this pose as a risk for HIV infection or any other stds - like if someone cut themselves on the same spot where I cut myself??
Thanks
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Your questions will not be answered until you return to your original thread.
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Remix, I've merged your threads. Please follow our rule and keep all entries in this same thread.
You've been coming around here long enough to be up on what's risky and what isn't. HIV is not transmitted from environmental surfaces such as doorknobs, toothbrushes, razor, furniture, food or tools such as you are concerned about. No, not even if there was HIV+ blood on them. HIV is a fragile virus and does not remain viable on such surfaces and objects.
You are worrying needlessly. Also, we only focus on HIV here but I can't think of any other STD which would be transmitted that way. If you are having symptoms of any kind you should discuss them with your doctor. For sure there is no reason to be concerned about HIV.
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Thanks guys - just one like question I promise..I went to a conference and had to wear a name tag and accidently poked my finger with a pin..which drew blood .. is there any risk from this incident like say if there was blood on it or if someone poked themselves prior?
Thanks
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You've been coming here long enough to know what's the deal about what is risky and what isn't. To come back with this latest non-risk question is ridiculous.
Re-read what's been said to you and the lesson on Transmission. You're not going to be indulged in having every one of these what ifs answered as if they are about anything serious.
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Thanks...I have re read the lesson but I had one last question....HIV is from blood to blood exposure and is it possible to get HIV on the toilet seat...I went to the washroom to urinate and lifted up the seat and after I finished urinating I noticed blood underneath the toilet seat...im not sure if it splashed on my penis...or not...and this is worrying me now...is that a risk...and how long does HIV survive on the toilet seat in those situations..thanks..
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Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
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No, that is not a risk. You've been coming here long enough to know that.
You need to apply the information and knowledge you've been given to new situations as they occur, and not just show up here everytime you have a burst of unfounded fears as if you have no prior knowledge about HIV transmission.
Otherwise you are very quickly going to find yourself getting another Time Out.
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Sorry Andy ...I know my fears are taking over me ...I just dont get it..cause when Im single Im fine and im not worrying about these situations...but when Im with a girl which I am going out with right now...it starts to flare up again...I think I need to get some help but its hard for me to afford it right now since im going to university and already have alot of bills to pay....Its also affecting my relationship becasue all we do is engage in mutual masterbation and that freaks me out as it is...and I think I might have to break up with my girlfriend because this anxiety is not fair to her...and not fair for me to ruin my health even more...I am going to try and get some help...and re educate myself on STD transmission...but this button situation..the washroom situation..and all that...its like i cant let it go...im like what if i penetrated my girlfrined and i didnt even notice...all these "what ifs" ...its scarey....cause its hard to shake off...but I am gonna try my best to steer away from this forum...and think right...again..sorry for the botheration..
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Unfortunately we cannot help you with addressing the emotional and psychological issues you are talking about.
We can only evaluate risks and you didn't have any. Period.
Perhaps your university offers counseling or other mental health services which might be helpful to you.
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Hi i know i have come on here before..but this time I think I have had a real incident..but i just needed some clarification...I am a personal trainer..and one of my clients scratched me by accident....while he gave me a tap on my shoulder...and when his hand slid down he scratched me near my elbow ...it drew blood but not alot....I was wondering if this was a risk...like what if he also had blood on his hand...and it came into contact with mine...
thanks
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Once again you are worrying needlessly. Even IF the fellow is HIV+ that scratching incident absolutely would not be a risk for transmission of HIV.
HIV is a fragile virus. It is not transmitted through scratching, environmental surfaces, cuts, nicks, bruises and such.
Let go of this unwarranted concern now and get on with your life.
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thanks Andy...I just thought because what if it was a blood to blood exposure...isnt that how hiv is transmitted...?? thats why i got confused...
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Blood to blood but only in certain very limited settings like the inside of a vagina or an anus where the fragile virus can survive.
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Hey guys .ive searched for this answer but couldnt find it anywhere...if someone is taking synthetic hormones like Melatonin 3 mg per night..could that effect any of my HIV testing results...like any over the counter supplements like 5 HTP (seratonin) or GABA..??? ive read somwhere that people taking synthetic hormones could effect The HIV antibody test ...
thanks
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Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
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remix,
You couldn't find any info on synthetic hormones affecting hiv antibody tests BECAUSE THEY DON'T!!!
You haven't had a risk. You don't need testing. You DO, however, need COUNSELLING to get over your hiv phobia/obsession. We cannot help you with that here.
I'm giving you that second time out you've been warned about. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann
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Hey everyone...I just had a question which I think is valid and it has gotten be really confused now..Dr. Mcgovern on thebody.com says on the hep c forum that being HIV and Hep Coinfected can result in false negatives and that if someone has an accute Hep C infection ..there could be a false negative for HIV even though they might be infected with HIV at 3 months...I was wondering if this is true or if its just her opinion,...its from thebody.com so I know thats a highly reputuable source...any thoughts on this
Thanks
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Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
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Hey...I just wanted to know your thoughts on this..because on thebody.com alot of people are confused by this as well thats all...
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re,
The only people known to have experienced delayed seroconversion when being infected with hiv and hep C at the same time are people who were heavy-duty injecting drug users and had been for years. The reason their seroconversion was delayed was because of their very poor health to begin with. Chronic drug mis-use will do that to you.
Did you ever bother to seek counselling for your hiv phobia like we're repeated suggested? If you carry on like this, you're going to end up banned from this forum. You're out of time outs.
Ann
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Hello,
I went to stay over at my friends place back on the weekend of April 23rd...He has only one bathroom so I had my razor in the bathtub ...After leaving the weekend I noticed that someone had used my razor before I used it because there was some blood on it but didnt think about it at the time and had used the razor after....I got worried so I got tested on July 27th 2011 with a rapid test. and it was NEGATIVE....am I in the clear for HIV or could I have gotten Hep C/HIV as well and it could possible delay sercoversion.?? I never got this confused before but after reading Dr. Mcgovern on thebody.com ...I got so confused! Thanks
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re,
The only people known to have experienced delayed seroconversion when being infected with hiv and hep C at the same time are people who were heavy-duty injecting drug users and had been for years. The reason their seroconversion was delayed was because of their very poor health to begin with. Chronic drug mis-use will do that to you.
Did you ever bother to seek counselling for your hiv phobia like we're repeated suggested? If you carry on like this, you're going to end up banned from this forum. You're out of time outs.
Ann
Once again you are worrying needlessly. Instead of surfing the net and further stirring up your fears over non-risks, you ought to be getting some professional help. You've been warned a number of times and you need to know you're on the verge of being permanently banned from the site. Last warning...
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Hey guys,
I know I have had past fears of HIV but I feel like this incident is warranted. I just got back from the UK and while at my grandparents place who is a diabetic I was eating my breakfast and felt a splash on my arm..I then looked and noticed that he was clearing some of the insulin from his needle syringe...I know he makes two injections and he injected himself once with the insulin and using the same needle some of insulin splashed onto my arm and a little on my face...I freaked out...is there any chance of transmitting HIV in this manner. since blood was on the tip of the needle.??
Thanks
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No, there was absolutely no risk of transmission in this latest drama you are cooking up. Even if your grandparent is HIV+ and you have not indicated that to be so.
Zero risk.
The nature of real risks have already been explained to you many times.
So I am going to warn you that if you attempt to start another cycle of what ifs and buts about this non-risk, you are very quickly going to find yourself getting a Time Out or being banned permanently from the site. Consider yourself warned.