Hiv+ person saliva on lips

[Cassandra]

Hi all, close relative of mine is HiV+ was speaking to them from about half a metre away and whilst they spoke I felt some spit hit my lips. I immediately wiped my lips with a wet wipe. But I have been in panic mode since! Am I at risk? Do I need to take a test? I have a husband and scared of making love due to this. Also I have been thinking was it so wise to wipe my lips in case I spread the virus through my lips allowing entry through mucous membrane. Maybe I am over thinking this but just need reassurance that I am not at risk.

[RapidRod]

Saliva is not infectious. You never had an exposure. 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

[Andy Velez]

You are worrying absolutely needlessly. HIV is actually a fragile virus and is only spread in the ways that Rod has enumerated for you.

Get on with your life including sex with your husband as you have not had any risk.

[Cassandra]

Thank you both for the reassurances, I genuinely thought I was at risk of exposure.

[jkinatl2]

Thank you both for the reassurances, I genuinely thought I was at risk of exposure.

Others might think the same thing - please educate people if you can, and maybe we can help overcome the stigma so often associated with HIV positive people

[Cassandra]

I am really at a loss I don't know what to do?
My concern which I have shared was that Hiv+ Mum spat on me while she spoke. And after the reassurances I keep getting 'what it's' pop up in my mind that has continued and even strengthened my worry e.g .;
- what if there was blood in the saliva you didn't see
- I had chapped lips on the day which were sore and I kissed my lips together with a wipe to rid of the saliva but I then thought what if I enabled the virus to enter through the opening of chapped lips
- I had an insti test at 6 weeks which was negative but it brought temporarily relief as I felt it was took it too early therefore what if it didn't detect? Now I am too damn scared to get a 2nd test.

I have tried to convince myself not to be concerned but I end up in a circle of confusion and repetition. To me the fear is real as I was at great risk and I believe I was exposed! I have sought help from a therapist but its not helping its very generalistic approach to the fear and they lack understanding around the illness. I don't what to do anymore this is consuming life as its all I think about. It's affecting my work, relationships everything! Can anyone suggest other ways I can look at this situation? Any facts or approaches to consider? What kind of help I can seek and from whom? Please help I am in despair.

[RapidRod]

Return to your original thread where you were already advised you never had an exposure.

[Jeff G]

Having spittle get on you during a conversation is not a risk for HIV period . No one has ever been infected that way and you will not be the first . I read your question carefully and I hope you read this carefully . You can not get HIV from being spit on under any circumstance .

[Jeff G]

I have merged your threads , so please keep all you thoughts in this thread as Rod asked you to do .

You have been given the facts and the facts are you didn't have a risk . If you cant except that then there is little we can do to help you .

[jkinatl2]

This is your second question about the identical thing - spit.

Why did you think our answers would change?