Questions about exposure and PEP

[TrustHim]

I went to go adopt a kitten from a lady on craigslist and when i arrived the kitten freaked out and scratched the lady deep the blood was pooling on her arm.  As we were getting the cat to calm down and go in its crate her wound must have rubbed on my hand because as i was driving away i noticed blood on my hand.  I pulled over and rinsed it with cold water from a water bottle but didnt wash it with soap til an hour later when i got home.  My instinct tells me skin is a good barrier but i read cdc guidelines regarding blood to skin contact is a risk if the skin is chapped.  My hands were very chapped and i had two cuts on my hand one had a scab the other was a papercut from the day before.  I texted the lady and asked her if she had hepatitis or hiv and she said no.  I asked her for more of an explanation and she said she has been with her husband since she was 15 and she says she has a lot of blood work done for other health issues.  I went to a clinic anyway and the doctor said its a small risk so she gave me PEP.  I completely missed my 3rd dose because of the side effects and thinking he risk if any didnt justify the PEP so i was going to stop taking them but by the next day my fear set back in so i resumed PEP and have a week left of the protocol.  Im completely exhausted taking PEP coupled with worry has caused me problems at my job and failing my midterm.  Im debating followup after PEP is finished because I dont have insurance and the clinic i went to is pricey.  I have not been sexually active in 6 months and had a negative hiv test 3 months ago as a requirement for life insurance. 

[Jim Allen]

My hands were very chapped and i had two cuts on my hand one had a scab the other was a papercut from the day before.

You had no HIV risk whatsoever from this.

I don't know what triggered your thoughts about HIV to start with, it's just odd to jump to that. Anyhow, nobody has been infected through contact with fluids in community settings even with fresh let alone old small wounds, scrapes, cuts, etc etc etc. HIV is too fragile and those injuries lack route hence it makes sense there are no confirmed cases.

This type of paranoia about poor theoretical "what if's" is why children living with HIV have hard times past and present attending school or people living with HIV have had barriers to getting certain jobs etc whilst in reality, there is no real risk at all.

If you continue to have such fears I would recommend you consider talking to a therapist instead.  Please don't post about this again.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP going forward as an additional layer of protection against HIV

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 easier to transmit 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.

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.

[TrustHim]

My fear of hiv was triggered long ago when my ex huaband gave me syphilis and i found out he was not only being unfaithful but that he was using needles to inject heroin and doctor told me i was high risk to get hiv if i stayed with him.  I changed the locks on my husband shortly after that and have not seen him since.  Anyway I feel more at ease about the blood to skin contact. I have a new concern for exposure.   When I went to an hiv clinic to get blood drawn to start pep I thought nothing of it at the time but now its haunting me that the patient who was in the blood draw room before me was known to be positive and then i went for my blood draw thinking nothing of it having a conversation with one the phebotomists while the other took my blood.  Now im worried what if they reuse the same needle to draw my blood as with the last patient.  Can the virus survive in the needle and will it enter my blood stream simultaneously when the needle goes into me vein to withdrw blood.  Also the hiv specialist I saw says my post pep testing is conclusive because pep doesnt delay serconversion  with the type of test she uses 4th generation.  I see so muchh info in this form and other forums that the window starts after pep but cdc  says testing 4-6 weeks after exposure.  Heres what I found.

VII-B1. HIV Testing
All patients initiating nPEP after potential HIV exposure should be tested for the presence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antigens and antibodies in a blood specimen at baseline (before nPEP initiation), preferably using a rapid test. Patients with baseline rapid tests indicating existing HIV infection should not be started on nPEP. Patients for whom baseline HIV rapid test results indicate no HIV infection or rapid HIV test results are not available should be offered nPEP. There should be no delay in initiation of nPEP while awaiting baseline HIV test results. Repeat HIV testing should occur at 4–6 weeks and 3 months after exposure to determine if HIV infection has occurred. See http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/laboratorytests.html regarding information on approved HIV tests.
Oral HIV tests are not recommended for use among persons being evaluated for nPEP.

Well my ultimate question is about the virus surviving in the needle from a previous patient and the needle being reused.

Thank you for your time

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Sorry to hear about the ex-husband and this ongoing HIV fear. I do hope things go better for you in the future. End of the day any sexual contact including that within relationships is accepting certain risks.

Anyway I feel more at ease about the blood to skin contact. I have a new concern for exposure.   When I went to an hiv clinic to get blood drawn to start pep I thought nothing of it at the time but now its haunting me that the patient who was in the blood draw room before me was known to be positive and then i went for my blood draw thinking nothing of it having a conversation with one the phebotomists while the other took my blood.  Now im worried what if they reuse the same needle to draw my blood as with the last patient.  Can the virus survive in the needle and will it enter my blood stream simultaneously when the needle goes into me vein to withdrw blood.

You have no logical reason to believe a needle was resued, on top of that it was a blood-draw not a concern. 

Your result is conclusive unless you have had other exposures not mentioned here, as you simply had no risk to test over, no PEP or testing was needed. Put it behind already, relax and move on with your life. 

Please don't post about this again, this is as irrational as the first post and I can't help you overcome this, speak to a therapist if you continue to have HIV fears, and I'm not even going to get drawn into what you have read online or heard in a clinic, just stop reading nonsense would be my only comment. 

Jim

[TrustHim]

I have severe OCD and I don’t trust the world ... on sept 23 my boyfriend got way too aggressive and squeezed my mouth really hard while we were kissing I have sensitive gums so I didn’t know at the time but they started actively bleeding within the next few mins I gave him oral sex for less than a minute and he came in my mouth I immediately spit out his cum and realized it was pinkish so that’s when it registered that I must have bleeding gums. I rinsed my mouth but I know this increases the risk for hiv since my gums were bleeding ... his last hiv test happened to be the day before and he tested negative on sept 22 With a 4th generation combo from his vein.... he had traveled to another state and arrived home on sept 10 so he was staying home all day everyday with me since sept 10 ... so I know 12 days prior to his hiv test he has not had any exposure.  I started Pep sept 24 and I’m feeling the side effects ... my boyfriend is begging me not to take the Pep because he says it’s toxic ... he says he will go back and test again as many times as I tell him if I will stop taking Pep.  Now I want to protect myself because I don’t fully trust him.  I’m scared I’m damaging my system from the Pep and also I have a terrible feeling that Pep has hiv in it and that the Pep is going to infect me.  Has anybody tested positive after Pep without any high risk exposure and source person is negative ?  Should I stop taking Pep since my bf tested negative ... what if he goes back and tests this week and is still negative then should I stop ?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

His test results are rather irrelevant. PEP is simply a combination of HIV meds, it's not toxic in this day and age, however, if you think you are expercing side effects talk to your doctor.

HIV medication does not contain HIV and, you can't acquire HIV from the medication.

Regading giving him a blowjob, the mouth simply lacks route (Cells to infect) for HIV, and even if there was damage to your mouth as in meth mouth or gaping pen wounds creating a possible route than saliva & air also act to neutralize HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells.

All in all, giving a blowjob is such a minute concern with regards to HIV that we don't even recommend specifically testing over it. Just get tested whenever you are next normally due a routine check-up. 

I am sorry to hear you contuine to have these HIV fears, consider speaking to a therapist to help you with this.

Jim

[TrustHim]

Receptive oral exposure on 9/23 with actively bleeding gums and ejaculation in mouth.  Boyfriend tested negative with combo test blood from vein the day before.  Started pep 9/24.  Should pep be continued in regards to exposure and bf testing negative.  Does Pep have Hiv in it .  Are there any unexplained cases of testing positive after pep when exposure was low and source person was negative ?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

His test results are rather irrelevant. PEP is simply a combination of HIV meds, it's not toxic in this day and age, however, if you think you are expercing side effects talk to your doctor.

HIV medication does not contain HIV and, you can't acquire HIV from the medication.

Regading giving him a blowjob, the mouth simply lacks route (Cells to infect) for HIV, and even if there was damage to your mouth as in meth mouth or gaping pen wounds creating a possible route than saliva & air also act to neutralize HIV by damaging the receptors needed to infect human cells.

All in all, giving a blowjob is such a minute concern with regards to HIV that we don't even recommend specifically testing over it. Just get tested whenever you are next normally due a routine check-up. 

I am sorry to hear you contuine to have these HIV fears, consider speaking to a therapist to help you with this.

Jim

[TrustHim]

Do u know or have u heard of anybody to test positive after pep when they have partner who was confirmed negative

[Jim Allen]

People who have had other exposures or who had exposure to a partner who were within the testing window period themselves.

However, as explained you had no exposure that even warrents testing, let alone PEP.
Move on with your life, talk to your doctor if you feel unwell, consider speaking to a therapist if you contuine to have these HIV fears.

[TrustHim]

Today I took Pep (symtuza) 30 mins after food ... 15 mins later I realize this may have an impact so I ate some Brazil nuts walnuts and some string cheese ... I’m worried taking it between food and not technically with food is going to make it fail. 

[TrustHim]

My worries come from AIDS map website that specifically states symtuza has to be taken with food versus other meds it says without food or it says right after food.  I had a tomato avocado sandwich 30 minutes before as well as the nuts and cheese after like I mentioned. 

[Jim Allen]

"Take with food" basically means don't take it on an empty stomach. You didn't  take it on an empty stomach so I'm not seeing an issue, however, feel free to check with your pharmacist.

https://www.poz.com/drug/symtuza

[TrustHim]

I have a question about risk with a new puppy in the home. As I've stated I have OCD which I'm getting treated for but turns out the treatment for OCD is not that effective.  Anyway my question is since the puppy got into the trash and was tearing a used period pad with blood if the women was living w HIV and the dog licks a child all over including childs mouth can this be an exposure.  What can I do to clean the dogs mouth ?

[Ptrk3]

You did not have a risk of contracting the HIV from any aspect of this event, not even remotely.  The HIV is fragile and does not survive in the ambient environment in a viable manner.

Please read and understand this link:

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-transmission-risks

Continue to work on your OCD issues.

Puppies are puppies, always getting into things and they love the excitement and smell of garbage.  Your puppy is fine and will not transmit the HIV, no worries. 

[TrustHim]

I have a trash digging incident I have very dry cracked bleeding hands and I had to dig in a trash bag.  The trash bag was tied up and used trash from bathroom from several people while we were on vacation.  I was looking for a piece of jewelry with my bare hands.  Did I have an hiv risk from this incident if the trash was infected and my cuts on my hands are open cuts.

[Jim Allen]

No.

This is a similar to s concern you had previously and ive explained why this type of concern is zero HIV risk to you.

Jim

You had no HIV risk whatsoever from this.

I don't know what triggered your thoughts about HIV to start with, it's just odd to jump to that. Anyhow, nobody has been infected through contact with fluids in community settings even with fresh let alone old small wounds, scrapes, cuts, etc etc etc. HIV is too fragile and those injuries lack route hence it makes sense there are no confirmed cases.

This type of paranoia about poor theoretical "what if's" is why children living with HIV have hard times past and present attending school or people living with HIV have had barriers to getting certain jobs etc whilst in reality, there is no real risk at all.

If you continue to have such fears I would recommend you consider talking to a therapist instead.  Please don't post about this again.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP going forward as an additional layer of protection against HIV

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 easier to transmit 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.

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.

[TrustHim]

Thank you Jim ... I’m in tears right now because I’m overwhelmed with anxiety from this incident ... I don’t know why my brain doesn’t accept that it is no risk ... I’m still working in therapy and have started medication... Thank you for all you do here and your patience and kindness.

[TrustHim]

I don’t know why I’m here asking again about an exposure when I already know what ur answer will be but I need to ask anyway... my cousin was coughing up a lot of blood while the dog was playing around with him and getting the blood on the dogs coat he started coughing in a shirt and the dog got a hold of it and was rolling around in the bloody shirt... I was sleeping at the time so I didn’t know what’s going on but the dog came and started cuddling with me licking me and being playful ... is there a risk of the fresh blood is on the dogs coat and it gets all over me ?

[Jim Allen]

You are fully aware HIV can't be acquired this way.

If you repeatedly ask questions about contact with fluids it's going to end in a ban.

[TrustHim]

I’m sorry I have my child sleeping with me too and the dogs coat was wet with blood and it transferred to our skin maybe mouth eyes nose when dog was being playful ... I’m more worried for my child than anything.  Do you agree with this statement that hiv loses its infectiousness IMMEDIATELY when leaving the body? 

[Jim Allen]

I'm sorry to hear that you continue to have these fears and that your cousin is coughing up blood. I hope a doctor is attending to them to check and treat the cause of the bleeding.

As mentioned before, you had no HIV risk from the blood on the dog or the shirt. Firstly, HIV is limited and fragile. Once exposed outside of the human body's confines, the receptors corrode, leaving it unable to infect.

All in all, day to day contact with fluids on objects, people or pets lacks the biological and environmental conditions needed for you to acquire HIV.

As said, I am sorry you have these ongoing irrational fears. If you can't move past them, consider speaking to a qualified therapist. I am giving you a 28-day ban as I had warned you not to post about this.

Please note: 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.

Anyhow, nobody has been infected through contact with fluids in community settings even with fresh let alone old small wounds, scrapes, cuts, etc etc etc. HIV is too fragile and those injuries lack route hence it makes sense there are no confirmed cases.

This type of paranoia about poor theoretical "what if's" is why children living with HIV have hard times past and present attending school or people living with HIV have had barriers to getting certain jobs etc whilst in reality, there is no real risk at all.

If you continue to have such fears I would recommend you consider talking to a therapist instead.  Please don't post about this again.

You are fully aware HIV can't be acquired this way.

If you repeatedly ask questions about contact with fluids it's going to end in a ban.