Aa
scared of hiv risk
Hi there
I am a 24 white female from south africa . I have a serious worry I'm constantly worrying that I have contrcated hiv I used to be a massage therapist but went through a traumatic experience in which I developed ocd n washed my hands red - dermatitis they didn't bleed except for the occasional cut which was small , now being a massage therapist I came into contact with a lot of people and of course I'm worried blood got onto my dermatitis skin and infected me I tried where possible to cover up or wear gloves. But it was not always possible I'm freaking out and now of course any small pain or muscle ache which I've been getting a lot scares me even more can anyone shed light on if I'm just being overly stupid or reason to panic . I went for blood pressure test n kinda mentioned to the nurse. I was worried ans she said only if the person was oozing blood out of them but I can't remember if I ever came into a situation like that and after every client I did wash my hands
I am a 24 white female from south africa . I have a serious worry I'm constantly worrying that I have contrcated hiv I used to be a massage therapist but went through a traumatic experience in which I developed ocd n washed my hands red - dermatitis they didn't bleed except for the occasional cut which was small , now being a massage therapist I came into contact with a lot of people and of course I'm worried blood got onto my dermatitis skin and infected me I tried where possible to cover up or wear gloves. But it was not always possible I'm freaking out and now of course any small pain or muscle ache which I've been getting a lot scares me even more can anyone shed light on if I'm just being overly stupid or reason to panic . I went for blood pressure test n kinda mentioned to the nurse. I was worried ans she said only if the person was oozing blood out of them but I can't remember if I ever came into a situation like that and after every client I did wash my hands
So now I'm confused its a maybe or not really ? Because I was at ease a bit untill I woke up and saw all the posts about someone who seems to be doubting her answer ? I know ocd is not contagious and while I respect for some reason lindia has taken my job leaving personally its my choice and I have my reasons for doing so not just because of my anxiety
Not having the knowledge you do regarding all the various tests and what the results mean, is why you won't see me addressing those questions. The only advice I give about testing is what I have learned from you, which is that only at 12 weeks, post exposure, will the test be 100% conclusive.
I believe when you responded, you were letting her know she was NOT at risk. Did I misinterpret your response?
I believe she never had a risk, I was simply hoping to help with her HIV anxiety.
I am extremely embarrassed and feel like an utter fool now, Teak.
I don't know what happens if they get a false positive. I'd guess they'd do another test. But the bottom line is that I don't know for sure.
I am sorry that you will now have to take the time to explain what a false positive means to this woman. I will apologize to her in a PM.
I believe when you responded, you were letting her know she was NOT at risk. Did I misinterpret your response?
I believe she never had a risk, I was simply hoping to help with her HIV anxiety.
I am extremely embarrassed and feel like an utter fool now, Teak.
I don't know what happens if they get a false positive. I'd guess they'd do another test. But the bottom line is that I don't know for sure.
I am sorry that you will now have to take the time to explain what a false positive means to this woman. I will apologize to her in a PM.
you had NO risk and do not need testing.
any further anxiety / ocd fueled questions should be addressed on the hiv anxiety community forum. we are not a psychological counseling service.
any further anxiety / ocd fueled questions should be addressed on the hiv anxiety community forum. we are not a psychological counseling service.
If it will put your mind at rest, then go get tested.........even though there is absolutely no rational reason, as you've never had a risk, just perhaps knowing for a medical certainty that your are negative, will help you move on.
Just a thought, but I think you are sitting there letting the HIV/OCD chip away at your peace of mind.
One simple test will set you free. What do you have to lose? Fear? Worry? Anxiety? Paranoia? Stress?
It's your choice how you want to live your life.................
Peace
Greenlydia
Just a thought, but I think you are sitting there letting the HIV/OCD chip away at your peace of mind.
One simple test will set you free. What do you have to lose? Fear? Worry? Anxiety? Paranoia? Stress?
It's your choice how you want to live your life.................
Peace
Greenlydia
OCD is not contagious. Your roommate caught you at a vulnerable time in your life due to the accident. Your lack of understanding about how HIV is contracted left you wide open to her paranoia. And that paranoia has now caused you to give up your profession, which is irrational and sad.
I suppose, if the reality is you don't care that much about a career you worked so hard for, then yeah, just walk away from it. But if it is something you are passionate about, you need to fight to overcome whatever is stopping you from getting back into it.
Therapy to deal with the OCD, (IF you've got it, and bear in mind, about 99% of us have OCD to one degree or another) to deal with whatever may still be with you about the accident and getting educated about HIV and how the chances of you aquiring it from being a license, professional, therapeutic MT are virtually less than zero..............
If you really want your life back, you have to be pro-active, you have to get out there and fight for it. You're too smart to let this slip through your fingers.
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia
I suppose, if the reality is you don't care that much about a career you worked so hard for, then yeah, just walk away from it. But if it is something you are passionate about, you need to fight to overcome whatever is stopping you from getting back into it.
Therapy to deal with the OCD, (IF you've got it, and bear in mind, about 99% of us have OCD to one degree or another) to deal with whatever may still be with you about the accident and getting educated about HIV and how the chances of you aquiring it from being a license, professional, therapeutic MT are virtually less than zero..............
If you really want your life back, you have to be pro-active, you have to get out there and fight for it. You're too smart to let this slip through your fingers.
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia
OCD often makes people think in an irrational way.HIV is a virus that is very hard to contract & the modes of transmission are few.You had no risk and I wish you all the best in the future.
Thank you very much for both your quick and informative replies.
To answer your question no it was not a hiv scare I was working in a game lodge and I rolled my car and at the same time I was living with one of the game rangers as my room mate and she was overly ocd and constantly put ideas into my now traumatised head about how aids was spread . Unfortuantly I don't think I will be going back into the profession but maybe one day in the. Future I will again .
Keep well
Charlene
Xoxo
To answer your question no it was not a hiv scare I was working in a game lodge and I rolled my car and at the same time I was living with one of the game rangers as my room mate and she was overly ocd and constantly put ideas into my now traumatised head about how aids was spread . Unfortuantly I don't think I will be going back into the profession but maybe one day in the. Future I will again .
Keep well
Charlene
Xoxo
You never had a risk.
The nurse you spoke to while having your BP checked was partially correct. Not only would the person you were massaging need to have a deep and severely bleeding wound, but YOU would also. And you would have needed to be massaging his/her gaping, bleeding wound with YOUR gaping, bleeding wound.
I have no doubt whatsoever that you would have noticed this profusion of gaping and bleeding.
Not knowing what the "traumatic" experience was that led you to develop OCD, which led to obsessive hand washing which led to the developement of dermatitis and ultimately led to you leaving your profession..........was that connected to an HIV scare?
Nobody here will think you are being "overly stupid," (you're not being stupid at all) and I believe everyone here will tell you you have nothing to panic about.
I do think you need to get into therapy to deal with your HIV anxiety and the OCD. I think you need to educate yourself about how HIV is contracted. And besides consulting a therapist, I also think it would help to discuss this issue with your associates.
Because I have two friends who are MTs, I know how hard you worked to get your license and would hate for you to give up your career because of a phobia.
Don't waste your talent. Maybe once you get past this, you could volunteer to do a few free massages for people with HIV or AIDS.
The touch of another person can work miracles.
Peace
Greenlydia
The nurse you spoke to while having your BP checked was partially correct. Not only would the person you were massaging need to have a deep and severely bleeding wound, but YOU would also. And you would have needed to be massaging his/her gaping, bleeding wound with YOUR gaping, bleeding wound.
I have no doubt whatsoever that you would have noticed this profusion of gaping and bleeding.
Not knowing what the "traumatic" experience was that led you to develop OCD, which led to obsessive hand washing which led to the developement of dermatitis and ultimately led to you leaving your profession..........was that connected to an HIV scare?
Nobody here will think you are being "overly stupid," (you're not being stupid at all) and I believe everyone here will tell you you have nothing to panic about.
I do think you need to get into therapy to deal with your HIV anxiety and the OCD. I think you need to educate yourself about how HIV is contracted. And besides consulting a therapist, I also think it would help to discuss this issue with your associates.
Because I have two friends who are MTs, I know how hard you worked to get your license and would hate for you to give up your career because of a phobia.
Don't waste your talent. Maybe once you get past this, you could volunteer to do a few free massages for people with HIV or AIDS.
The touch of another person can work miracles.
Peace
Greenlydia
HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.
HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child
HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child
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