HIV Fear my story

[harajukboy]

I was walking down a street and this guy bumped into me on purpose. I didn't feel a prick, but did find a small dot on my arm. No blood. If he hit me with a hypodermic needle, would this be a way to contract hiv?

[Ann]

hara,

This whole scenario of strangers armed with hypodermic needles bumping into people with the intent to infect them with hiv is nothing more than an urban myth. Not one person has ever been infected this way. For a start, it's an extremely inefficient method of infection.

When people are infected through sharing needles, it is because they are putting hiv infected blood directly into their blood stream IMMEDIATELY after the needle has been used by a positive person.

You are worrying for no good reason.

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 the 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

[harajukboy]

Thank you!

[harajukboy]

I have a questions. I understand its an urban myth, but even if it did happen, there is no risk right?

[Andy Velez]

We don't get into the domain of what ifs. The point is that there has never been a confirmed case of transmission in that manner. You are worrying needlessly.

[harajukboy]

I want to share my story, maybe it will help people who are terrified they have HIV.

12 years ago a man bumped into me. When I looked at my arm later that night i saw a little red mark on my skin. I was 100 percent sure he stuck me with a syringe and I was HIV.

My fear would increase every few years, usually when I was making a big change in my life like graduating school or changing jobs or moving.

I lived my life for 11 years thinking I might have HIV. When my fear would increase I would come on this site and others. I posted on here but it didn't help.

If you're going through this, GO GET AN HIV test if you're so worried. I thought I could never do i put I just got fed up with the worry. Two years ago I bought an at home HIV test. I took me a year to finally take it. And when I did it, I felt so relieved to end this.

I called and it was negative. I didn't have a nervous breakdown waiting for the results like I thought I would.

Now I'm in therapy. And working to get this fear out of my head. It's almost gone.

[Ann]

Hara,

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 everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

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 so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.




It's no surprise you tested negative. I'm glad you've finally put this behind you and are in therapy to put these unwarranted fears to rest. Good luck.

Ann