Can you catch Hiv from vaginal speculum

[annmarie77]

Hello all!
I`m new on this forum, and i want to ask you something about HIV transmission.
A month ago, I was to a family planning center for a  cervical cancer screening and I had a Pap smear.  After the prelevation of cervix cells with the brush, the doctor told me that I bled. She show me the vaginal speculum and yes, it was my blood on it. I have cervicitis and therefore my cervix is very sensitive.
So my question is ..it`s possible to catch HIV or Hep C if the vaginal speculum was contaminated before I used it? I have a doubt about the sterilizations procedure and also I`m an anxios person.
Thank you, and please scuse me for my poor english!

[Vance2335]

Yes he is right

[annmarie77]

I from Eastern Europe and here the most clinics have reusing speculums (metal speculum) and  that`s my worry! Even if that instrument was contaminated, I read that HIV doesn`t survive long outside the body..
I hope you`re right..

[HowardH]

Most clinics and doctors have only disposable, single-use speculums. If it was made of clear plastic, you can be sure it had never been used on anyone else. If the clinic has metal speculums, I'm sure they sterilize them between patients. If it was metal, you could ask the clinic to be certain they do that.

Even without these precautions, I have never heard of HIV or hepatitis being transmitted in gyn clinics through used speculums, and I see no reason for you to be concerned the blood came from anyone but you.  You needn't be worried, but if you want further reassurance, you can ask the clinic about its speculum procedures. I'm sure they will reassure you.