Non-sexual HIV transmission - hate to waste your time, but.....

I'm a 21-year-old male, non-drug user...... I hate to sound uneducated on the matter, but I'm OCD and this is really weighing on me.

I worked in disability services for several months, and one of my clients had AIDS. There was an instance in which he used a pen, then handed it to me, and as force of habit goes, I began chewing on the end of it. Since then, the OCD has given me a profound, yet irrational, fear of somehow contracting AIDS in that manner. There was ZERO visible fluid-to-fluid contact, and I really haven't felt any symptoms - however, my Dad (whom I live with) now has a swollen lymph node in his neck. I've masturbated in a common area since living here and a new dimension has been added to my extreme anxiety.

Can you ease my mind about this? Was there any chance whatsoever of me acquiring HIV from my former client (and perhaps passing it to my Dad), or am I being as irrational as I think I am?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I don't know what OCD means; I guess I'm not yet fully fluent in computerese.  But as the rational part of your brain is telling you, your risk of HIV from the exposure(s) you describe is essentially zero.  And what does where you masurbate have anything to do with it??

But why are you spending your energy here, asking me?  The way to ease your mind is to get tested for HIV.  The negative result will be more reassuring than anything I can say.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[tfe]

You know, it's possible that, while driving to work tomorrow, Bea Arthur will pull up next to you in a blue truck with a yellow flag and throw her lowfat blueberry muffin at your windshield, which will then bounce off at a 40 degree angle and hit President Bush's left elbow.

I'd say you'd have a better chance of that happening than catching HIV from the manner in which you specified.

Here's hoping Bea Arthur doesn't enter the trucking business ;-)

(This response was not written in criticism or scarcasm, but rather to give you a chuckle while putting your [non-existant] risk in perspective).

You're OK! Get tested if it'll make you feel better, though.

Take care.

[monkeyflower]

OCD is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I have a feeling that it really doesn't matter what anyone tells you (including the doctor, and probably including any tests). Your rational mind *already* knows it's not a possibility, but your OCD makes you worry otherwise. Are you taking any meds, and/or getting therapy for your OCD? I have a friend who has it, and meds have made a previously difficult and anxiety-filled life quite normal and happy. It can really make a difference :-)

[msreader]

I have a very dear friend who has obsessive compulsive disorder.  Like you, she was very fearful of contracting HIV.  Your fears are groundless.  I have researched HIV for her so thoroughly that I could be a counselor for it!  I've talked to numberous doctors and testers.  People will tell you to get tested to ease your mind.  I disagree with this.  You are not hiv positive and getting tested is ridiculous.  If you were tested, your negative result would not be enough for you.  I know.  My friend was tested so many times, and each time, it was negative, but it was hell waiting for results.  Your problem is not hiv; your brain chemistry is off.  You need counseling and medication.  The SSRIs are excellent for OCD.  Get yourself to a doctor and have him/her recommend a good medication.  You may feel wonderful on the meds, but you do need counseling too.  Good luck, and remember......you could NOT POSSIBLY HAVE HIV!!!!