Am I being irrational, should I be tested?

[Marcgarv87]

last week I had an individual who was at a stoplight asking for money, I rolled my window down to hand him some singles. As he approached, he had some liquid in a bottle that some spilled out and landed on me and in my car, it wasn’t intentional to my knowledge.  Now I’m paranoid this was an hiv risk. I had long sleeves on and didn’t feel anything hit me but I’m not too sure. I didn’t wipe the liquid until until i got home about 20 minutes later to use disinfectant wipes. Am I being irrational about this being a risk that would warrant testing?

[Jim Allen]

What you posted here was zero HIV risk to you. Relax and 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

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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[Marcgarv87]

I understand and have read up a ton on the ways of transmission. Where my mind goes towards are the cases where the virus was not transmitted through iv drug use or unprotected sex. Then I think what if there was blood in the water or whatever liquid, what if it wasn’t water and it came in contact with my hand as I bite my nails. And so on.

[Jim Allen]

Look, this isn't 1994, and unless you are a healthcare provider, your adult risks of acquiring HIV are limited to the following:

- Sex; Condomless intercourse & a minute HIV risk when giving a blowjob.
- Sharing IV drug rigs (Syringes)
- Blood products & transfusions & (Rare thanks to screening in most nations)

Then I think what if there was blood in the water or whatever liquid, what if it wasn’t water and it came in contact with my hand as I bite my nails. And so on.

Firstly, HIV is fragile, and the receptors needed to infect corrode once exposed outside the confines of the body, leaving it unable to infect. In addition, day-to-day cuts, wounds or skin issues are not a route for acquiring HIV, I could go, but in short, your concerns lack all the simultaneously required biological & environmental conditions needed to acquire HIV from this spilt drink/water.

Move on with your life.

[Marcgarv87]

Thank you so much for your quick responses and the dedication you put into this. I browsed through the am I infected section and my question probably seems the most insane of all of them. But getting the advice from you definitely helps. Thank you!

[Jim Allen]

You're welcome.

my question probably seems the most insane of all of them

Not even close. You didn't mention aliens from outer space, ET finger, or cows.

The majority of people contacting us need a bit of reassurance and prehaps some education, and there is no harm in that; what remains are people with morality issues and a small number with emotional or mental health challenges.

[Marcgarv87]

Hi Jim,

I just wanted to follow up with this as I am an anxious person. The “exposure” I mentioned previously still remains the same. But my mind would not go to rest so I have taken multiple oral tests since then (I will not mention how many) but the most recent was Dec 11 about 61 days since the “incident”. It of course came back negative as did all my previous results. I also had a routine physical this week and all bloodwork came back normal but I don’t believe they specifically screened for HIV. In any case based on the most recent Oraquick test I took on the 11th, is that reliable for my status?

[Jim Allen]

You had no HIV exposure and I won't pretend you did or that testing is needed over this, as that would be a disservice to you and the community. 

I have taken multiple oral tests since then (I will not mention how many)

Welcome to the merry-go-round of irrational testing over nothing and doubting the results. HIV testing isn't going to fix your fears, if you keep having these irrational fears consider talking to a psychiatrist instead.

[Marcgarv87]

It’s not that I doubt the results, it’s more so wondering if a test taken it 60 days can be considered conclusive as I know that 3 months seems to be the standard. I figured it rather pay the fee here to ask a few more questions to people whose advise I trust, then spend another 50 dollars on a test that won’t matter.

[leatherman]

- Sex; Condomless intercourse & a minute HIV risk when giving a blowjob.
- Sharing IV drug rigs (Syringes)
- Blood products & transfusions

You NEVER had a risk of HIV from someone splashing something on you. You have wasted time, stress, and money on something that was impossible.

consider talking to a psychiatrist instead.

I can't understand why you're still concerned, much less paying money for tests and answers. You haven't believed the assessment here, just like you haven't believed multiple tests that gave you the negative results you should have expected from NOT being exposed to HIV. Perhaps spend your money and time on therapy to get over this irrational fear.

[Jim Allen]

When you created an account with the POZ Forums, you agreed to have only one account. Starting multiple accounts is against the rules of the Forum and will cause you to be banned from our forums.