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A professional Risk Assesment
Dearest Doctor
The community forum answers where not enough to quell my fears. Perhaps my understanding of the "risk" is totally warped. I hope the opinion of a professional will put my fear to rest.
Months ago a friend of mine who sleeps with sex workers was at my house. I'm afraid he might have used my electric-razor before I used it. I cut myself when I was shaving (or if I didn't there was some blood left on the razor that got on my face, I really don't remember). I don't know when if or when he used it. But, if he did use it, what would the risk be for me? I read that percuntaneous wound is 1/300 chance. Am I right to assume my risk would be much less than this 1/300 since it would have been at least a minute in between his use and mine and if it was a cut it would not have been deep? Also, obviously I didn't see a lot of blood dripping from the razor or anything.
Bottom line, does this warrant getting tested (it has been 3 months)?
Thank you for your help and if my fears are totally off here I apologize.
The community forum answers where not enough to quell my fears. Perhaps my understanding of the "risk" is totally warped. I hope the opinion of a professional will put my fear to rest.
Months ago a friend of mine who sleeps with sex workers was at my house. I'm afraid he might have used my electric-razor before I used it. I cut myself when I was shaving (or if I didn't there was some blood left on the razor that got on my face, I really don't remember). I don't know when if or when he used it. But, if he did use it, what would the risk be for me? I read that percuntaneous wound is 1/300 chance. Am I right to assume my risk would be much less than this 1/300 since it would have been at least a minute in between his use and mine and if it was a cut it would not have been deep? Also, obviously I didn't see a lot of blood dripping from the razor or anything.
Bottom line, does this warrant getting tested (it has been 3 months)?
Thank you for your help and if my fears are totally off here I apologize.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No change in my opinion or advice.
Hello good doctor. I just got back from a long vacation where I was able to relax in peace and happiness. Your reassurance allowed me much of that peace. I do want to ask one clarifying question.
If it had only been a few seconds (not a minute or more as I originally stated) in between use of the electric razor (the incident mentioned in my initial post) is your risk evaluation the same? Still no need to test? Again, I saw no obvious blood on the razor or counter, only the blood from my razor cut.
Thank you.
If it had only been a few seconds (not a minute or more as I originally stated) in between use of the electric razor (the incident mentioned in my initial post) is your risk evaluation the same? Still no need to test? Again, I saw no obvious blood on the razor or counter, only the blood from my razor cut.
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The responses on the commuity forum were correct. There is no significant risk here. I'm not sure where you found the "percutaneous risk" of 1 in 300; perhaps that applies to such things like health workers exposed to blood-contaminated sharp instruments. But it does not apply in this situation. Regardless of sex with commercial partners, the chance your friend has HIV probably is no more than 1 in 1,000. And even if he did, the odds there was sufficient moist blood on a razor he used, and further that enough of that got under your skin during shaving to infect you, are miniscule.
You do not need testing. But of course feel free to do that if you think the negative result will help resolve your unreasonable fear.
Finally, your fears indeed are "totally off", but no apology is necessary. However, the tone and your obvious obsession with HIV in this situation, despite the no-nonsense reassurance you were given on the community forum, suggest a possible underlying emotional problem that might benefit from professional attention. I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You do not need testing. But of course feel free to do that if you think the negative result will help resolve your unreasonable fear.
Finally, your fears indeed are "totally off", but no apology is necessary. However, the tone and your obvious obsession with HIV in this situation, despite the no-nonsense reassurance you were given on the community forum, suggest a possible underlying emotional problem that might benefit from professional attention. I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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