POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: panicker on June 18, 2007, 10:50:17 am
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Hi!
I just registered as a new member on your excellent website and I have a concern:
10 weeks ago (waiting for that 13 weeks mark) I stupidly did a hand-job to an unknown male, outdoors. Most of his semen just dripped on the ground, but the tiniest bit of his pre-cum/sperm came on my forefinger. I did not have a bleeding wound there and I quite quickly used a hanky to wipe it of. He did not touch me. I then left and started panicking, took some hard snow from the ground and rubbed my skin a little - how stupid, but it did not open up a visible wound anyway. I then ran home and washed my hands with soap and then (stupidly) washed my mouth with water in case there was semen around my lips (just a panic reaction really, but the guy's semen flew in different directions, also on my sleeve).
Do I have to take the test? Are there any registered cases of transmission this way (through skin)? Does the virus die immediatley once outside the body?
I need to point out that I di not know whether this man was hiv+ or not.
I would appreciate an answer, thanks in advance!
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Whoa and slow down there! And take a couple of nice deep and slow breaths in and out! I mean it!
Absolutely nothing you have described in any way put you at risk for HIV transmission.
But your anxiety and question(s) do reveal that you need to bone up on the basics of HIV transmission. Read our lesson on the subject and you will get the information you need to know. THere's a link to the lesson in the Welcome thread which opens this section. If something is not covered there specifically it's because it means that is not a risk.
This epidemic is going to be around for a long time to come so you need to be aware of what the real risks are and act accordingly to protect yourself.
As far as the incident which brought you here there is nothing for you to worry about or any need to get tested.
Cheers,
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Thank you Andy for your answer.
The reason I asked is because on an official national web site in my country they say one transmission mode is through broken skin. Also some international web sites talk about transmission through broken skin "under certain circumstances".
I know my fears are somewhat irrational, but as I have lived in a very stable, monogamous relationship for over 15 years, I do not want to risk transmitting anything to my partner in life. This was my first stupid "on-the-side" thing, and I think it will be the last.
I also have some traumatic experiences from the early days of hiv (mid-80's): unprotected anal and oral sex with 2 men I did not realyy know, and I then had some sort of virus irruption on my skin, so I was really scared then. I have been tested negative three times after that, and I stopped having unprotected anal sex after that.
Thank you again for listening, I know I sound paranoid. I also know my bad conscience (can't even spell that word) is one reason for my hysteric scare.
Best regards an thank for yous wonderful job on this site and also elsewhere.
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OK, I understand where you are coming from about this recent incident as related to previous scares you had.
It's good that you are aware that your mind can play tricks and that still doesn't change the HIV science of the situation. As far as what your country has listed as a potential risk in terms of a break in the skin, I am not going to get into a fight with their terminology. What I can tell you is that for there to be a risk in such a situation, you would have to be experiencing a just opened and significant wound in the skin with HIV+ blood from someone else pouring into it for there to be even a risk. In the real world of HIV transmission just doesn't happen that way, and believe me, nicks, cuts, bruises and such are very, very common.
Give yourself a break and forgive yourself for having been a dawg like the rest of us. You strayed. You can't undo that. Take a breath and let it go. That's the most loving thing you can do for yourself and your partner.
Again, you were not at risk for HIV.
Cheers,
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Thank you again for answering, Andy.
So, no risk for HIV, got that. The national help-line told me so also, but somehow I just couldn't calm down. I realize HIV is not my real problem, and I just have to let go of it. I will eventually get tested just to calm me down completely in that respect.
Thank you once again for being there and keep up the good work!
Best wishes
Panicker
p.s. How do I sign off as a member from your site, I really shouldn't be hanging around here.
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Pan,
The way to sign off from this site is to... well... sign off. Close the browser window, turn your computer off and step away from it. Go do something nice for your partner in life.
You really don't need to worry about hiv in this instance. Make sure you use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse and you'll be just fine where hiv is concerned. It really is that simple.
Ann
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Dear Andy, Ann et al.
I just came back one last time to say my rapid test was negative, as you had already told me it would be. I was so guilt ridden I felt I had to do the test.
Thank you once more and I'm very grateful for your advice to me (it gave me the strength to go and get tested in the first place).
I've learnt my lesson.
I wish you all the best!