HIV risk from outside objects

[dixon1]

Hi,

I became very nervous about HIV after my wife became pregnant. Got tested numerous times for probably no good reasons during her pregnancy, all negative. Then I started to read your forum (helped a lot), however I think I still have fears regarding HIV risks, which interfere with my daily life. My wife is breastfeeding now, so I am scared to have unprotected sex with her to avoid any possible riks.

I had two events that got me worried:

1: I went to a busy public man restroom.  I try to get paper tower from the machine on the wall which apparantly was broken, and I scratched my hand on a serated metal bar inside the machine (not very sharp). I opened the machine and inspected the bar and didnt's see any visible blood on the edges. I had superficial skin scratch, did not see visible blood but I freek out.

2: I have the tendency to play with objects, so while I have conversations with my colleagues in the office, I apparantly took a metal paperclip, unfolded it and pressed it for few minutes againts my thumb until I experienced slome pain and then realized what I was doing and fricked out again. I inspected the paper clip, no visible blood. My thumb has definite scratches on the skin surface, didn't see blood, but i got the pain sensation.

So my questions are:

1. For medical reasons should I get tested for these exposures (test will no help much for reasurance)?
2. Can I have unprotected sex with my wife while she is still breastfeeding?
3. If i get similar exposures from objects, but with some blood and puncture of my skin, should I get tested or just assume that these are no risky exposures and move on.

Thank you.


G

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  You have already answered your own question- your fears are groundless. I will confirm this and perhaps provide a bit of rationale.

HIV is transmitted by sex or by acts which INJECT the virus directly deep into tissue such as blood transfusions or sharing needles.  It is not transmitted by touching or superficial contamination and certainly is not transmitted from the surface of objects which may have been contaminated in the past with blood or human secretions.   HIV is a fragile virus which dies quickly when exposed to drying, to air, and to temperatures less than body temperature.  thus surface contamination is not a means by which the virus is transmitted, just as it is not transmitted by touching infected persons.

The activities you describe are zero risk for HIV.  You have no need for testing and no need for concern. If this is something you are having trouble getting past, I would suggest that you discuss this with a counselor. I say this out of concern, nothing more--it sounds as though these unjustified fears could be negatively impacting you relationship with your family and possibly others around you.  EWH

[ruchak]

A related discussion, Scratched witin a gap of second was started.

[dixon1]

Dr Hook,

I know is probably unrealistic fear, but please answer, it'll mean a lot to me.

Thank you