HIV Risk

[aaa1213]

I know that you will probably be upset that I am posting this question but I'll give it a shot. I recently had an HPV scare which turned out to be skin tags. During the time period for which I was waiting for my biopsy results I was very paranoid and would frequently apply vinegar to my groin to see if there were any aceto white changes. I eventually threw away the bottle of vinegar in the restroom. I share a bathroom with 6 other girls. One night in a spout of paranoia I went into the bathroom and took the bottle of vinegar out of the trashcan. Used feminine products were also in the trashcan. My hand did not touch any of the tampons/napkins but what if there was menstrual blood that I did not see that came into contact with my hand. I then applied the vinegar to my groin so my hands did come into contact with my genitalia. If there were blood on my hands that I did not notice could I get HIV? My labia was very chapped due to vinegar application? I didn't think I came into contact with any mentrual blood and didn't see or feel any, but what if the amount was so small but still infectious? I am going to see a counselor about my anxiety just so you know. Also I know it is a large assumption to assume the menstrual blood was HIV infected. Thanks for listening.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your sore throat doesn't mean anything in regard to HIV.

You cannot catch HIV through intact skin, no matter what HIV infected fluids it contacts.  Do you really imageine that in the 30 years of the known world-wide HIV/AIDS epidemic you will be the first person infected who didn't have a traditional risk factor?  The virus is very hard to transmit!  For example, te household members of HIV infected people, sharing bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, and eating utentils for years on end never catch HIV (assuming they aren't also sex partners of the infected person).

If you feel you must be tested, feel free.  But what are you going to do about all the other potential "exposures"?  If thisYou can be tested with 100% reliability at 4-6 weeks, depending on what specific tests you have.  See http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700

You came here for reassurance, and I gave it.  Please accept it, and for goodness' sake don't argue about it!  The whole idea is to help you relax and mellow out.  I hope you can do so.  In any case, I won't have any further comments or advice.

[aaa1213]

If I didn't have any noticeable blood, can trace amounts of blood be infectious? Also, I thought that since my potentially contaminated hand came into contact with a mucous membrane (vagina) it didn't matter if the skin was intact or not? And the sore throat developed on day 10. I think that I will eventually get tested because I will not be able to clear my mind. Could I get tested after 1 month or do I have to wait for an entire 3 months? Thanks you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  Your question isn't upsetting at all.  (We try never to get upset, but sometimes it's difficult if the same person keeps coming back with questions about non-risky exposures!)

I doubt anybody in the world ever caught HIV from this sort of event.  The chance one of the recent bathroom users had HIV probably is extremely low, since fewer than 1 in 1,000 American women is infected.  But even if you contacted wet blood contaminated with HIV, there would be no risk.  You can't get HIV through intact skin, and even minor superficial wounds make no difference.

As for your sore throat and vomiting, almost certainly you have some sort minor viral infection.  And although you don't mention the timing, it sounds like this was recent.  HIV symptoms cannot start sooner than 10 days after exposure.

So don't worry about this.  You aren't at risk at all.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[aaa1213]

Also, I am beginning to develop a sore throat and I woke up vomiting 3 nights ago. It has been ten days since this encounter with the trashcan with feminine products.