Floridaboy1992:
Hello, I’ve been paranoid and have been having ocd about HIV for years now, but lately it has been very bad off and on. There has been a few things that have been bothering me lately and I need some closure on these scenarios. I’m a heterosexual male, 32 years old
1.) On April 26th of this year I was nicked by my barber with the straight razor. It wasn’t a bad nick but was some minor bleeding by my beard. I had gotten paranoid about him possibly forgetting to change the straight razor that day and possibly cutting me with a dirty razor and infecting me with HIV. Is that possible? I’ve been pretty anxious to test after 6 weeks from that incident.
2.) Just 3 days ago on June 4th, I had received oral sex from this woman that I just met off of this dating site. She is a heavy smoker and I had noticed one of her teeth looked mildly decayed and her gums didn’t look in the best shape. I think she had some missing teeth in the back. I was worried about possibly her gums or teeth bleeding onto my penis, even though I didn’t see any blood, cuts or scrapes. I do realize that oral sex, especially on the receiving end is practically no risk at all. But with her mouth condition, would that make any difference and increase risk? She did tell me that she is completely clean from all STD’s.
3.) Today I was at the gym using a machine. My legs tend to get itchy at random times, so I had kept reaching down to itch my leg kind of hard 3-4 seconds after I completed my sets on the machine. My concern is that if it is possible to transmit HIV from my hands touching the gym machine handle to my fresh small bleeding open cut on my leg 3-4 seconds after touching the machine handle? Should I test for HIV soon to have some piece of mind, or are the situations are no risk for testing? All of these things have been bothering me lately and I really need some closure.
-Thank you
Jim Allen:
Hiya.
I have read your post three times, including the "what ifs" with great care. There was no HIV risk from these situations, move on with your life.
Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks: Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV and get vaccinated against HPV, Hepatitis A & B.
Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.
Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.
Kind regards
Jim
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Floridaboy1992:
Thanks a lot Jim. I am going to move on. Some of it is just ocd and irrational thoughts. A couple small other things I had forgot to mention. So about 2 weeks after the barber incident, I had developed a mild sore throat which lasted for 10-12 hours and then my body temperature was slightly elevated from 99.1-99.8 at its highest and it kept going up and down each time I checked every 1-5 minutes for a little while. That only lasted for about 12 hours. My anxiety was extremely high. The last thing was that I developed either a lymph node or cist on my jawline that was moveable and could pull along with the skin. That took 2 weeks to fully go away. I was afraid of Ars but I’m aware that stress also plays a role and other viruses that are going around.
And for the incident last night at the gym. It was almost immediately that I touched my small open cut with blood with my hands right after I had touched the gym handle. Maybe 1 second. It wasn’t 3-4 seconds. Sorry if this is a lot. Thanks a lot Jim.
Jim Allen:
--- Quote ---So about 2 weeks after the barber incident, I had developed a mild sore throat which lasted for 10-12 hours and then my body temperature was slightly elevated from 99.1-99.8 at its highest and it kept going up and down each time I checked every 1-5 minutes for a little while. That only lasted for about 12 hours. My anxiety was extremely high. The last thing was that I developed either a lymph node or cist on my jawline that was moveable and could pull along with the skin. That took 2 weeks to fully go away. I was afraid of Ars but I’m aware that stress also plays a role and other viruses that are going around --- End quote ---
Your left leg and testicle could fall off but it's not related to HIV from the barber as that wasn't an HIV risk.
--- Quote ---And for the incident last night at the gym. It was almost immediately that I touched my small open cut with blood with my hands right after I had touched the gym handle. Maybe 1 second. It wasn’t 3-4 seconds --- End quote --- .
Makes no difference whatsoever.
Relax, move on with your life.
Floridaboy1992:
Thanks, that really helps. One other question. (Do not mean to be a pest) But would it matter if her mouth was dry and possibly lacked some Saliva? She was a heavy pot and cigarette smoker and said she had cotton mouth (dry mouth) at the time. But I did still feel some saliva. I’m just curious to know. Thank you.