POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Alfio1977 on March 21, 2024, 11:57:38 am
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Hello everyone, I'm new here, please excuse me if my English isn't perfect as I'm Italian. I hope you can help me with a very complicated question!
On Monday morning, I went to the infectious diseases department of the hospital for a blood draw as part of a periodic screening.
That same evening, while taking a shower, I noticed a skin abrasion on my forearm (exactly where it rests on the armrest of the chair during the blood draw), about the size of a small shirt button (slightly larger than a lentil), with a bright red color from the blood. It's typical of those wounds that remove the skin surface and take longer to heal.
I have no idea how and where I got it! My fear is that I might have gotten it just before the blood draw or somehow during the draw. Moreover, the chair was red, making it impossible to notice any traces of my blood or anyone else's. Assuming the wound was present just before the blood draw or was caused during it, what infectious disease risks might I have been exposed to?
I should mention that the armrest wasn't disinfected before I used it, but about a couple of minutes had passed since the previous draw.
Thank you so much in advance. I am very, very scared.
PS: Regarding hepatitis B, I recently started the vaccination cycle, having received the second of the three doses just the previous Monday.
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My fear is that I might have gotten it just before the blood draw or somehow during the draw.
It's not a route for HIV, not to mention that HIV is fragile and would no longer be infectious in the situation you fear. You had no HIV risk from sitting in a chair regardless of your skin issues.
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
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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Dear Jim, thank you, thank you so much for your reply!
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You're welcome.