Possible transmission from blood in a public restroom?

[KVeg]

Hello, Doctor! I am new to this forum and I am hoping that you can help ease my concerns.

A few days ago, I went to the bathroom in a public restroom. I got some blood on my hands and fingers from the sanitary bin (it was not my blood, which worries me). But nonetheless, I used the same dirty fingers and hand to insert a new tampon in, touching my vagina in the process.

I'm just now realizing how utterly stupid that was! What is my risk of transmission? I cannot eat or sleep! I would go get tested, but I need to wait three months. I don't know what to do with myself until then... I can't imagine living this worried for three more months.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer this question!

[Dr Mervyn Tyrer, MB BCh; Dip HIV Medicine, Freedomhealth London]

Hello, the chances of you becoming infected in this way are near zero as HIV is not a terribly strong virus outside of its normal environment....it would die fairly promptly on drying, cooling etc. I do not believe this is going to be an HIV threat to you at all....you can though test at 10 days using a PCR RNA HIV test or at 28 days using a 4th generation HIV test, Merv

[KVeg]

Hello, doctor! Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. It really means alot, so thanks.

I'm not sure if the blood was dry, so would it still probably have carried zero risk?

Also, do you know of any places in the MidWest USA that offers fourth generation HIV testing? I've looked and looked, but all I can find is the antibody tests in my area...

Thanks again!

[Dr Mervyn Tyrer, MB BCh; Dip HIV Medicine, Freedomhealth London]

Hello, the chances of you becoming infected in this way are near zero as HIV is not a terribly strong virus outside of its normal environment....it would die fairly promptly on drying, cooling etc. I do not believe this is going to be an HIV threat to you at all....you can though test at 10 days using a PCR RNA HIV test or at 28 days using a 4th generation HIV test, Merv