Cocaine Straw Sharing

[Oatlil]

Hi all,

I’m currently living in China, which is why I’m looking predominately for advise on the internet, rather than in the hospitals (unless something serious comes up).

I used to be an avid cocaine user, but my time in China has meant that I have given up any gear and for that matter alcohol too. However, a few months ago (after 6 months completely clean) I visited Thailand where I befriended some people at a bar. We were all drinking and then decided to go back to someone’s house to do some cocaine. We continued to drink and me and two others shared some cocaine, using the same bank note to do so. I did 3/4 lines and it seemed that my nose did not bleed at all. As the night transgressed, one of the guys started telling me that he was in a tumultuous relationship with a Thai transsexual and had recently found out that she was in fact HIV positive. This shocked me for one reason, we had been sharing a cocaine bill. He did tell me that he had tested negative after 6 weeks, but they had only found out the news 2 months ago, so again I began to panic (I am aware that mostly you can test positive after 6 weeks if you do in fact have it, but this is also not completely conclusive). I do have some knowledge on the transmission of blood borne viruses but if I’m being perfectly honest, I simply cannot stop panicking about this one situation because the guy involved was very vague in his answers and I felt rude asking too many questions as realistically, his HIV status is none of my business in any other situation. I am not scared about the contraction of HIV through inanimate objects and I don’t have a HIV phobia, I am just slightly concerned this poses risks and being in a country that doesn’t have much available information I thought it best to pass this question on to people that do.

So, potential risk? Please can you explain to me either way.

Thank you!

[Jim Allen]

No HIV risk whatsoever.

Unlike other BBV's, HIV is incredibly fragile it does not remain infectious outside the human body, and can not reproduce outside the confides of the body. See once hiv finds itself exposed outside the body, small changes in temperature, pH / moisture levels all damage the virus receptors needed to infect human cells and thus render it unable to infect.

Even if this was not the case there are other barriers to this concern, all in all it meets none of the biological conditions needed for HIV transmission and all must be met even for a theoretical risk. You had no risk not even that, so relax move on with your life.

Ill spare you the long "drugs is bad for you" speech.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

Please Note.
As a member of the AM I Infected Forum you are required to only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter. You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here . It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Any additional threads will be deleted.

[Oatlil]

Cheers! I suspected as much but wanted it to be clear.

[Jim Allen]

You're welcome

[Oatlil]

Hi, this isn’t my first time posting on here so I’m not sure about the rules that apply but it seems you have to start a new post when you have a different query. My questions today is onset of symptoms if applicable. I had a horrible experience in Korea where I got black out drunk and I can’t remember how I got home. Initially, this didn’t bother me too much because it can happen sometimes. I’ve become worried because a day after said event I have developed a terrible flu and although I’m getting better, I have developed a very small rash on the inside of my arm. The rash is what worries me the most because there is no reason for it to exist. I’m horrendously anxious that something terrible happened as I made my way home. Does seroconversion usually happen this early on? I’ve been to the doctors and it’s not flu.

[Jim Allen]

I merged your posts.

Now presuming you had a risk like "Unprotected intercourse" on the way home, the symptoms the next day would have nothing to do with HIV even if you had been exposed.

Majority of people have no initial symptoms and besides it takes HIV the better part of a week to infect the first cells and start an immune response, let alone notice it.

As for the blackout,if you can't recall what you did or think you did something that would be a risk then test for HIV antibodies at 6 weeks and 3 months post event and also test for far easier to acquire STI's whist you are at it.

Take it easy

Jim

Please Note.
As a member of the AM I Infected Forum you are required to only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter. You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here . It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Any additional threads will be deleted.