scrapes and cuts. hiv pen

hello there doctors. thanks for having a forum like this where we can ask you questions, it means the world.

ok well after taking some time w a long term girlfriend i engaged in mutual masterbation (masturbation) with a guy i met online who was also in a long term relationship with a women, our first time. i asked him about stds and hiv and he said he didnt have anything. i tried to be safe picking my partners and everything and just to be sure because im hoping to get back with my girlfriend and just wanting to try it once i got tested at 13 weeks just in case because you never know. and everything came back okay.

where i took the test was a out of the closet store where they only have one back room and a small waiting room. there was this other guy there. i remember seeing a little cut by his finger because i often get little scrapes playing basketball and i was thinking oh maybe he plays too looked like a athletic guy. well i overheard because it was such a small place he tested positive. and ive never known anyone who had hiv before. then i went in and i used the same pen as him to sign all the papers, which i also had cuts and scrapes on my hands from like 15 hours ago playing basketball, nothing bleeding or anything. i was all ready to start enjoying myself again after getting my negative three month back. but now im concerned, am i at risk from getting hiv from us both having little cuts using the same pen and stuff. i dont want to sound ignorant but i would never want to give it to anyone if say i am at risk, the girl i plan on getting back with, my basketball friends where we often get scapes and cuts and stuff. anyone. is this something i just have to wait for a three month test or is this something im just too close to the sitiuation and overreacting to and there is no concern at all. thank you so much doctors.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There is no risk at all from having used the pen that an infected person used before you, even if your hands had cuts and scrapes on them.  We get many questions of this sort and the answer is always the same.  Despite the frequent concerns voiced by person with this sort of exposure, no one has EVER gotten HIV from handling inanimate objects handles by an infected person - no one, ever.  THIV is not a very "tough" virus. It dies quickly on exposure to air due to the effects of drying and lower temperature.  In addition, despite your scrapes, your skin is an excellent barrier to infection.  Almost immediately following a scrape the healing process begins and in that way become more resistant to infection.

Bottom line, you have no need to be concerned and do not need further testing following this non-exposure.  Hope this helps. You can relax.  EWH

[lljr1]

i forgot to mention my cut or scrape was not scabbed up or anything it looked like a red dot but not the kind with a scab, although it was 15 hours, i dont know if that helps. wasnt bleeding or anything