Please HELP ME ....

[goldcubana]

Mom was diagnosed with HIV in 2000. I was 11 then. She came in my room & told me she had HIV. When I learned about it I became immediately scared. I had used the same toothbrush as my mom and sometimes I'd sneak & use her razor. Never did I find blood though. Its gross but my mom used to have a dildo as well & me and my friend used to play with it thinking it was so funny. I even put it on my vagina once. But it was completely dry. I've shared earrings with my mom too. But like I said. Never any blood. She has diabetes & I used to be the one pricking her finger and checking her sugar. Lets say I forgot to change the needle and pricked myself a couple minutes later. Could I be infected? I'm starting to notice I have extremely bad abdominal pain in the morning & abnormal discharge. Also, my tongue has a white coating in the morning & I have phlegm too. The doctor said I have allergies but they don't know my mom has HIV. I'm terrified of HIV. I cry & worry myself every night. I'm 18. Please help

[jkinatl2]

While nothing you mention is a real risk for HIV I am curious as to why you haven't simply gotten a test. In the us you can purchase them over the counter.

[goldcubana]

Because I am scared. Does it sound like I have HIV?

[Andy Velez]

Nothing you are reporting or speculating about has put you at risk for HIV. There is no need for testing.

You can always get tested and collect the inevitable negative result if you need that just for your peace of mind. It sounds like your experience of having your mother living with HIV has understandable had a great effect on you. You might consider talking with a therapist or other professional to discuss it because that might help to alleviate some of your unjustified fears.

But as far as a real risk for HIV, I don't see any in your story.

[goldcubana]

Thank you Andy!
Would you say I need to visit a doctor for my horrible abdominal pain & abnormal discharge? This is why I feel I have HIV. It wont go away. & just one more question ..what about the lancet she pricked her finger with, if I did it 5 minutes later with the same one could I be infected?? They've given me 2 cultures and took my blood but never a specific HIV test. Even so, would they be able to notice if my blood work seemed off?

[Andy Velez]

Whatever symptoms you have are something to discuss with a doctor and not just worriedly speculate about. Again, I don't see any reason to see HIV as a cause.

But maybe nothing is going to answer the question about your HIV status than to simply get tested. It's easy enough to do that so instead of worrying, how about putting the matter to rest by getting tested?