I have contracted Full-blown HIV after plunge bath fish pedicure

[OfannyO]

Please help me... I am alone and crying, can't sleep, taking Xanax and Prozac and very very scared.

I'm a transexual and I was flying out of San Francisco Airport back to London when I made the most stupid, reckless decision in my entire life.  After spending three weeks on my feet performing on stage, my feet were killing me. 

They had those little glass tanks full of gold fish called Fish Pedicures.  It was only 30 dollars for half an hour, seemed a good idea at the time.  I had never done it before, it seemed safe.

My naked feet were plunged into the water for about 30 minutes, with the goldfish nibbling away all the dry skin, verrucas and callouses from my old feet.  It was then that there was a newsflash on the TV screen in Departures and they were running a story about HIV infection in San Francisco and they quoted that SF has one of the highest amount of people living with HIV/AIDS. 

I'm absolutely terrified I've contracted Full Blown HIV from the fish pedicure tank.  It was all rimy and some of the fish did not look well, i don't know if fish can be HIV positive?  What if someone with HIV or AIDS used the fish pedicure before me, in that city of high infections, and I've contracted something by transference.

When I got back to London, I saw a so-called Nigerian specialist who recommended PEP after 20 hours.  It was horrendously expensive  (over £1000 for a 28-day supply of Truvada and Kaletra, I think it was).  This 'specialist' made insulting remarks about transexuals and didn't even seem to understand my concerns.  He just wants my money.

I'm now worried as my glands are up, I cannot eat, I've been violently sick and I noticed some strange rash on my feet. 

What are the risks that I've contracted the Full Blown HIV from the fish pedicure in San Francisco?

Please help me. 

Thank you
Fanny x

[RapidRod]

You never had an exposure, you cannot contract HIV from fish with fins.

[Ann]

Fanny,

I have contracted Full-blown AIDS after plunge bath fish pedicure

No, you haven't. No way, no how.

Fish cannot be infected with hiv. It's called the HUMAN immunodeficiency virus for a reason. Only humans can get it.

And a person cannot be infected with "full-blown aids" either. One can only be infected with hiv - aids is the Acquired ImmunoDeficency Syndrome. You cannot be infected with a syndrome.

You got royally ripped off where the PEP is concerned. For one, you don't need it and two, if you actually did have a risk, you could have had PEP for free at any GUM clinic.

I know you're a blogger who is supposedly humourous - and I can't help but think you are yanking our chains with this question. Seriously? Fish?

And I have another news flash for you - you're not funny.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

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.

ALTHOUGH YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER HAVING YOUR TOOTSIES NIBBLED BY FISHIES, 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[jkinatl2]

I know you're a blogger who is supposedly humourous - and I can't help but think you are yanking our chains with this question. Seriously? Fish?

Of course she is. I mean it's easy. Easy as shooting fish in a barrel.

[OfannyO]

My dear Ann

I Haven't the slightest what you're talking about "yanking the chain".  Given that I'm originally from the US, it's an impolite turn of phrase, referring to me as a Yank.    I've read your response, I find it sarcastic.   I'll just sit here and have another panic attack while you have a laugh at my expense.

As for your other extraneous comments... what blog are you referring to?  I'm not aware of having a blog.   I suppose this is considered humourous where you come from.. the Isle of Man... (explains a lot).

Whilst you have made fun of my predicament, your so-called knowledge on HIV and AIDS does not take into account the various pages about HIV risk and fish pedicures.

Just Google : "hiv fish pedicure".   Stories in both the Daily Mail and The Sun appeared saying there was an HIV risk from the fish pedicure, both respectable and highly authoratitive publications.

Please explain that.

And why did the Nigerian doctor, based out of so-called respectable consulting rooms in Central London, prescribe the PEP in the first place?

My question was a serious one.  Please tell me, without sniggering or resorting to immature behaviour, what I should do about the PEP?  Take it, or flush it down the toilet?  Is it possible to get a refund if it is not necessary as I could think of much better things to spend £1,000 on, like a pair of shoes.  How can I report the disgusting actions of this Nigerian sham doctor? 

thank you for your time

Fanny
x

[Andy Velez]

Let's just keep this simple.

You had absolutely no risk for HIV. There is no reason for you to be taking PEP or to bother testing for HIV.

Cut it out and get on with your life. Really.

[Ann]

My dear Ann

I Haven't the slightest what you're talking about "yanking the chain".  Given that I'm originally from the US, it's an impolite turn of phrase, referring to me as a Yank.    I've read your response, I find it sarcastic.   I'll just sit here and have another panic attack while you have a laugh at my expense.

As for your other extraneous comments... what blog are you referring to?  I'm not aware of having a blog.   I suppose this is considered humourous where you come from.. the Isle of Man... (explains a lot).

Whilst you have made fun of my predicament, your so-called knowledge on HIV and AIDS does not take into account the various pages about HIV risk and fish pedicures.

Just Google : "hiv fish pedicure".   Stories in both the Daily Mail and The Sun appeared saying there was an HIV risk from the fish pedicure, both respectable and highly authoratitive publications.

Please explain that.

And why did the Nigerian doctor, based out of so-called respectable consulting rooms in Mayfair, London, prescribe the PEP in the first place?

My question was a serious one.  Please tell me, without sniggering or resorting to immature behaviour, what I should do about the PEP?  Take it, or flush it down the toilet?  Is it possible to get a refund if it is not necessary as I could think of much better things to spend £1,000 on, like a pair of shoes.  How can I report the disgusting actions of this Nigerian sham doctor? 

thank you for your time

Fanny Love
x

Love,

I didn't call you a Yank. Notice I did not use an upper case Y. Besides, I'm a misplaced Yank myself. Chain yanking is a British way of saying "having us on".

If you don't know about your own blog, either you're writing it in your sleep or someone who writes an awful lot like you, is also a transsexual who performs and is also an American living in England has stolen your identity.

I don't care what some "authorities" might say about possible transmission from fish - it's ridiculous. I suggest you read some of the science concerning hiv infection rather than relying on the Daily Mail or Sun newspapers for your information. They just love to scare-monger and anyone can find a so-called expert who will say anything you want them to.

You're simply NOT going to get infected with hiv from a fish pedicure. No way, no how.

On the other hand, all that piano bar sex you claim to have is another matter, unless you're correctly and consistently using condoms for any and all anal or vaginal intercourse.

Ann

[jkinatl2]

Just wanted to add - no one is laughing at your expense. We are, however, raising a collective eyebrow at someone who, having faced discrimination and perhaps even unwanted attention and/or ridicule over an immutable situation,  chooses to troll an HIV forum.

Please stop denying Ann's legwork. Ten years handling this forum has taught her some mad skills, and she is second only to the Darkest of all Possible Ones (Matty) in ferreting out these sorts of things. And now you've gone and made me use "ferreting" as a verb, something I swore I would never do.

As penance, might I suggest you use that fantastic LED dress as the centerpiece costume for an upcoming AIDS benefit? Seems like a win-win.

[OfannyO]

Are you telling me that there is zero risk from the fish pedicure?  Why does the Daily Mail and The Sun say differently?  They write as if it's a major risk!  Just Google it.  Their journalism on the subject is quite in-your-face and compelling.  Even the NHS say it's 'low risk', but they conclude it's still a potential risk.

btw - I've donated over £38,000 to HIV/AIDS charities in the UK, Europe and USA.  I have no reason to 'troll' or 'spam' any site, including yours.  The question was a serious one! 

F x

[Andy Velez]

Let's just keep this simple.

You had absolutely no risk for HIV. There is no reason for you to be taking PEP or to bother testing for HIV.

Cut it out and get on with your life. Really.

Yes, that is what I am saying. And if you continue to return here about this non-risk you are going to get a Time Out very quickly from this site. Consider yourself warned.

[OfannyO]

Dear Ann

Thank you for your response. 

Last night I was walking on Hampstead Heath just after dusk and I had an occasion of frottage.  I remained fully clothed but the other person, a German man, was starch naked and he ejaculated copiously onto my clothing.  He also liked to talk dirty, it was the most filthy string of obscenities that I have ever heard and his lewd behaviour unsettled me with regards to my possibility of contracting something.   Could you please spare a minute of your time to answer my question here:  Is it possible to get anything from this, could the ejaculate seep through into my private region and cause any infection, such as an STI or something else? 

I immediately felt soiled and dirty after him cumming all over my clothing so I stripped off and I washed every single bit of clothing, as well as my entire body, in the lake in front of Jack Straw's Castle, before going home.  I'm very anxious this morning about this incident.

thank you for your advice.
Fanny x

[RapidRod]

■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.

[Ann]

Love,

Hiv is transmitted through:

Unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.

Sharing drug injecting equipment.

From mother to child in the womb or during birth.

Unless you've engaged in one of these activities, then you've not been at risk.

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse where the virus never leaves the confines of the two bodies.

Once outside the body, small changes in temperature, and pH and moisture content all quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect. For this reason, you are not going to become infected with hiv through frottage (where no penetration takes place) or from getting someone's cum on your clothing or skin.

As for your general STI questions, we focus only on hiv here. If you have questions, book an appointment at your local GUM clinic. You should be going there at least once a year anyway for a full sexual health check up - particularly after all that smokey piano bar sex you claim to have. The other STIs are MUCH more prevalent and MUCH more easily transmitted than hiv.

Your story is highly unbelievable. While I'm fully aware that cottaging goes on on Hampstead Heath, I very much doubt people are fully stripping off all their clothing, taking a bath in the lake and generally prancing around naked like you suggest. If you want to talk dirty on the internet, there are more appropriate places for you to do that - including your own blog.

You've been told what is and what isn't a risk and how to protect yourself against hiv, now go forth and prosper.

We're not going to entertain you any longer. Come back with more of the same outlandish scenarios or no risk situations and you'll find yourself banned.

Please consider yourself warned!!!

Ann