Aa
HIV piercing
Dear doctor
I'm 20 years old and on Jan 8th 2008 I got my ears pierced. I didn't realize there was a risk for HIV by doing so because I didn't think HIV could live outside the body, and I know for a fact the piercing gun hadn't been used for atleast 2 hours. On February 17th 2008 I started getting flu-like symptoms and went to the doctor. I tested negative for mono/flu and strep. I was reading and was worried I might have acute HIV and read that it was possible to get HIV through a piercing...but I felt a bit more relaxed when I saw there has never been a documented case of it . The doc thought it might be bacterial and prescribed an anti-biotic. I felt better after the anti-biotic but the last few days I feel like I'm getting sick again with the same symptoms. I have never had sex or had any blood transfusions/donations. I think I'm just a natural worrier but I was wondering if you thought I should get tested or if you think I'm prefectly safe.
Thanks
I'm 20 years old and on Jan 8th 2008 I got my ears pierced. I didn't realize there was a risk for HIV by doing so because I didn't think HIV could live outside the body, and I know for a fact the piercing gun hadn't been used for atleast 2 hours. On February 17th 2008 I started getting flu-like symptoms and went to the doctor. I tested negative for mono/flu and strep. I was reading and was worried I might have acute HIV and read that it was possible to get HIV through a piercing...but I felt a bit more relaxed when I saw there has never been a documented case of it . The doc thought it might be bacterial and prescribed an anti-biotic. I felt better after the anti-biotic but the last few days I feel like I'm getting sick again with the same symptoms. I have never had sex or had any blood transfusions/donations. I think I'm just a natural worrier but I was wondering if you thought I should get tested or if you think I'm prefectly safe.
Thanks
Hi there,
No risk of HIV infection as per your incident.So NO test needed.
Cheers!
No risk of HIV infection as per your incident.So NO test needed.
Cheers!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
