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HIV from vaginal fluids on toilet tissue....in Russia!!

Hi there,

A couple of years ago I was on a trip to Russia and mistakenly used some used toilet tissue paper in a public bathroom which i believed to be clean to wipe my Vagina. I know this is totally disgusting and cant believe this happened. Is it possible to for the HIV to remain alive and infectious on the tissue? I have no idea how long the tissue could have been there but it may still have been a little bit damp. three months later i did have a cold etc....

I called an AIDS hotline and they said the virus dies within seconds of being outside the body. But I have also heard it has to be dry to be non infectious. I also know that you cant catch HIV from sharing a towel- this seems a fairly similar activity. Do I need to get tested? I feel so worried as condom broke whilst having sex with my boyfriend a couple of days a go and now scared that I could have passed it on to him.

Please can you help me as the worry is starting to effect my day to day functioning and I feel depressed all the time. I also know that HIV is high in Russia which increases my worries further!!!

thank you so much for your time..

Katy

12 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, no, no. Rapid tests are reliable and have at least some reaction with HIV-2.  You would still have antibodies (and therefore a positive test) if you got HIV eight years ago.  You do not have HIV.  Stop worrying.  EWH
Helpful - 2
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The short answer is no, you cannot get infected this way.  I will however expand, first with some facts and then with a question.

First the facts.  HIV is not spread through the mediation of towels, toilet seats or used toilet paper (although I must admit, this is the first time I've been asked this one).  The virus does not live well outside the body.

Now my question. If this happened three years ago, why the question now?  I hope you have not been worrying about this for the past three years.

Hope thi is helpful. EWH
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
No, you cannot transmitt HIV that way.  No even if it were possible, which it is not, the person who may have used the paper before you needed to be HIV+ , then the viral load needs to be high enough to transmitt, then the fuild has to  actuall carry enough of that virus into you, and it must survive to infect you.

Not every possible encounter with an HIV containing fluid results in a new HIV infection.  The docotrs say that the odds are 1 in 1000 for a man to get HIV form a woman during one unprotected sex act agian assumgin she is positive.

You see the odds, even if this is a viable route of transmission , are overwhelmiginly in yoiur favor.

Stop worrying, but if yoiu can't get an HIV test.  enough time has passed for it to be reliable.  It will be negative and you will move on.
Helpful - 2
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I was worried that this would be your answer.  My reply to you is two-fold.

First, there is NO way that HIV is passed this way.

Two.  While it is not relevant to you at this time becasue you are not at risk, I need to gently chastise you about having not asked or gotten tested earlier.  Getting tested would not change the outcome, only provide you with essential knowledge which would then allow you to make evidence-based decisions.  If you were not infected (you are not, based on the question you asked) then that would put an end to your worries.  If you were, then you could have sought care and therapy.  Delay in treatment is hurtful to people with HIV and their partners.  In the future, should you be concerned, please do not delay getting tested.  It simply is not in your best interest.   EWH
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Can wet tissue spread hiv? was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, sorry to bother you again, but worrying over HIV rapid test. is it possible for it to be a false negative? since my incident was in russia could it be that i have HIV-2? also incident was 8 years ago, not three think i forgot to correct you, so in advanced disease can you test negative?

thanks so much,
feel really lonely and scared about this....
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Not suprised but glad to hear it.  Congratulations.  Take care.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi!

Went for a rapid HIV test this morning and it was negative!! so relieved! worrying over this for years was so ridiculus!!

Thanks so much for all your help, without having someone to talk to i probably wouldnt have had the courage to go get tested!

katy,
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thaks.  Your tests are very likely to be negative.  Let us know the outcome.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for all your help, I've decided to go get a complete STD screen just for peace at mind, and yep that incident would be only possible exposure. I'll keep you posted on the results, fingers crossed everythings ok......
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply!

In answer to your question, I have been worried about this for years!! i have never had the guts to get tested for fear of the results! Since being being with my current boyfriend i just feel concerned for his safety and all my worries surfaced again!

So you are sure HIV cannot be passed on in this way? Do I need to get tested?

Thank you so so much!

Katy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks so much for your reply! i do feel better but still worried....waiting for a reply from the Doc!
Helpful - 0

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