worried

[1234five]

Ive not worried for quite some time about HIV. But now I am again. I have a girlfriend who I am mad about, and a baby boy on the way in just 4 weeks time. I don’t take drugs and Ive never been promiscuous in the slightest, not before meeting my partner nor since – I never will be, so, my ‘risk’ therefore is not attached to me playing away behind her back because it is something I just will not ever do.

The toilets at work are unisex. Last Monday I needed to use it urgently, I quickly wiped the seat (as I always do) and used it. When I flushed it after, I saw some paper at the front of the bowl flapping about - as in the water was pulling it down due to the flush but the feet of the seat were holding it against the flow. It was a hand towel, a bit thicker than toilet paper. I lifted the seat up so that it flushed, and saw blood underneath it on the porcelain bowl (but none on the paper that I could see, though admittedly I didn’t pick it up to examine, I just freed it from the seat).

I think the blood must have been left from some female staff members period. Fair enough, but why people cant clean up after themselves I don’t know, but, it is how it is I guess.

So…Ive been worried since. Im worried that the tip of my penis may have come into contact with this blood (it still looked wet…but then, how can it dry in a damp condition like a porcelain toilet bowl?) and infection could have happened via my urethra. Is that insane to worry about? I worry even when really I know there was this hand towel in between me and the blood – but then I start to wonder what if the towel had soaked some of the blood up and I touched it that way?

Ive asked a doctor (I work in a hospital) and he said not to worry, and I have rang up THT who also told me not to worry though the fellow I spoke to wasn’t too clear about the whys and why nots about me not being at risk.

Basically, I am sure you can imagine im going out of my head here, me, im concerned about me but if I had to deal with it then I’d have to deal with it – but with regard to my partner and unborn son – im terrified. I certainly don’t want to give her or him anything.

Worth noting that I last had a test back in October last year and was negative, and my partner obviously had the test when she became pregnant – again, negative. I know she hasn’t been with anyone else, and vice versa ive only been with her since we got together – so, from that aspect this is my only ‘risk’.

[RapidRod]

Your doctor is correct, you don't have an HIV concern.

[1234five]

Thank you very much. Anything a tiny bit more in depth as to why not? Appreciate you might get asjed the same thing many times each day. I feel ridiculous worrying as the last 12 years of my life have been spent at various points working with and helping hiv+ patients in East London. I should know better. Cheers.

[RapidRod]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child

[1234five]

Thank you kindly. So are we all in agreement, I can move forward with my life without need to test and can become the best dad the planet has seen?

[Andy Velez]

Yes, you really should know better. And yes, you can move forward with your life. You are worrying needlessly. Totally. Cut it out and get on with your life. You have not reported anything that would have put you at risk for HIV. Period.

[jkinatl2]

Yes, you really should know better. And yes, you can move forward with your life. You are worrying needlessly. Totally. Cut it out and get on with your life. You have not reported anything that would have put you at risk for HIV. Period.

Exactly. It disturbs me that you would work with HIV positive people and not be better versed on common infectious diseases (Hep B and C are common co-infections.)

As for being the best dad that the world has ever seen, come back in eighteen or so years and we'll all judge you