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Author Topic: Non-sexual exposure  (Read 2864 times)

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Offline grad2007

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Non-sexual exposure
« on: June 03, 2014, 06:53:38 am »
Hello,

This is my first post in this forum and I would like to thank all its members for their outstanding support.

I'm worried about a possible HIV exposure. After reading all the info, it seems that it is a low risk exposure. I also know that in case of being HIV+, I would be Ok on meds as many people here. But anyway I have the need to ask:

I was in contact with a HIV+ girl who doesn't take medication. We were holding hands for about 5 minutes. I had not cuts on my hands.

But she had a cough and cleaned her nose with a kleenex several times.
So her hands had remains of snot (or even blood) that were transfered to my hands.

Could I get infected if I picked my nose or rubbed my eyes some minutes after?
What is your experience with this sort of contact?

Thanks!

Offline Ann

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Re: Non-sexual exposure
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2014, 06:58:36 am »
grad,

You absolutely did NOT have a risk for hiv infection.

In adults, hiv is transmitted through:

Unprotected anal intercourse.
Unprotected vaginal intercourse.
Sharing drug injecting equipment.

And that's it. Casual contact - including getting someone else's snot, sweat or tears (or saliva, feces, and vomit) on you - is not a risk for hiv infection.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER SNOT OR HAND-HOLDING, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline grad2007

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Re: Non-sexual exposure
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2014, 12:33:45 pm »
Thank you Ann for your answer, it made me feel better.

Offline grad2007

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Re: Non-sexual exposure
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2014, 06:05:03 am »
Hello Ann,

I'm sorry to post again, I'm scared. After 2-3 weeks I have the following symptoms:

2 swollen lymph nodes behind ears: one behind each ear at different positions.
1 swollen lymph node in the right side of the neck.
I can feel the nodes in the pectoral muscle, near the armpit.
I had constipation for a week.

I remember that on the day of the exposure, 4 hours before exposure, my index finger was exposed to friction at work while pulling some electrical wires. I didn't have any visible wound, blood or skin damage. But maybe there were micro cuts in my skin after the work.

The girl didn't have any visible blood or wound on her hands, but maybe there were invisible remains of blood or vaginal fluid that could contact my not 100% intact skin. Her viral load could be high, and maybe her hygiene is not the best. She cleaned her nose several times.

Although you told me that I had no risk for HIV infection, the lymph nodes behind my ears seem to be related to HIV ARS. So I'm trying to figure out how could I be infected.

I also read your posts explaining why HIV infection is not possible from this contact, under any circumstance. But the symptoms make me think that I got infected.

Do you still think that HIV infection is impossible from my exposure? Should I be tested?

I really appreciate your time and attention, as I'm very worried and haven't talked about this with my family or friends.

Offline Jeff G

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Re: Non-sexual exposure
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2014, 07:30:37 am »
You do not seem to get the facts . You can not get HIV from holding hands so you need to go see a doctor and find out why you are sick ... its not HIV .

Your post makes it clear that you suffer from a phobia concerning HIV, we cannot help you with your phobia or you anxiety . Please go see a doctor or therapist and tell them that you are having irrational fears and thoughts and get the help you need to move on . 
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

 


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