Aa
To Teak (New Member)
Hey Teak! I asked the doc this question, but thought I'd get a second opinion from you. I really value your responses (as brutally honest as they may be; I respect that)
So I went to an HIV clinic and used the restroom there RIGHT after an HIV+ man (like he walked out and I walked in) I DID NOT use a toilet seat cover and worry if there was blood or semen on the seat. I get small acne-like bumps on the back of my legs where it touches the toilet seat (from shaving and what-not) I also have genital herpes from a prior sexual assault. If indeed there was HIV infected blood on the seat and I had a cut,acne or genital herpes breakout and got blood on those parts, would this pose as a risk?? I don't remember if there was blood or not, but for arguments sake, let's say there was.
I know HIV becomes inactive out of the host, but is it instantly inactive because like I stated, it was DIRECTLY after an HIV+ man, so a matter of seconds between the time he sat and I sat.
My uncle just got diagnosed with HIV, and it hurts me that I'm so worried. I want to be educated about this, not irrational if I am being that.
Please and Thank You :)
So I went to an HIV clinic and used the restroom there RIGHT after an HIV+ man (like he walked out and I walked in) I DID NOT use a toilet seat cover and worry if there was blood or semen on the seat. I get small acne-like bumps on the back of my legs where it touches the toilet seat (from shaving and what-not) I also have genital herpes from a prior sexual assault. If indeed there was HIV infected blood on the seat and I had a cut,acne or genital herpes breakout and got blood on those parts, would this pose as a risk?? I don't remember if there was blood or not, but for arguments sake, let's say there was.
I know HIV becomes inactive out of the host, but is it instantly inactive because like I stated, it was DIRECTLY after an HIV+ man, so a matter of seconds between the time he sat and I sat.
My uncle just got diagnosed with HIV, and it hurts me that I'm so worried. I want to be educated about this, not irrational if I am being that.
Please and Thank You :)
Teak, please any words?
I want to get on with my life, and I really value your response; as I said before. I read your bio and I feel you are educated about the subject and it can really help me. Not only for me, but everyone that is affected by my fears. Please.
I want to get on with my life, and I really value your response; as I said before. I read your bio and I feel you are educated about the subject and it can really help me. Not only for me, but everyone that is affected by my fears. Please.
What are your thoughts Teak? I really value your repsonse as well! Let me know. Again, please and thank you :)
I don't know what you look like, but I could only imagine you're as beautiful outside as you are inside. You have no idea how much you comforted me. We need more people like you in this world; or at least my world ;) hehehehe
A "cut" that would constitute a risk for HIV transmission would be a very large, gaping wound with large amounts of fresh blood and actively bleeding. Any number or severity of "acne bumps" is simply not a risk, I assure you. There is no way possible. If you have more OCD-related questions, there is an HIV anxiety forum here for those sorts of questions. But remember when your fears and OCD creep up on you- it is only that- fear and OCD! You were never at risk and you should continue telling yourself this. Relax!
Since we're on the topic.... so what constitutes as a "cut" that is sufficient for HIV to transmit? Like a big gash; not just a scrape/cut or razor nik?
Again, I visit my uncle who is HIV+ and I just don't want to have these questions swimming in my mind. So basically a cut deep enough that it would require a band-aid?
I should say that I do suffer from OCD, so all the "what-if's" seem real to me. It sucks in this OCD world.
Again, I visit my uncle who is HIV+ and I just don't want to have these questions swimming in my mind. So basically a cut deep enough that it would require a band-aid?
I should say that I do suffer from OCD, so all the "what-if's" seem real to me. It sucks in this OCD world.
You're great, thank you for your input! It's very appreciated :)
I'll keep your words for comfort!
I'll keep your words for comfort!
There is absolutely no risk at all in the situation you've described. You cannot contract HIV from environmental surfaces, as Lizzie said. HIV is very susceptible to the environment and dies quickly when it is exposed to oxygen. Acne bumps are simply not a possible route of transmission. If this were the case, there would be BILLIONS of cases of HIV infection. HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. Nothing you have described put you at risk. Please rest easy and do not worry anymore!
Even if there was blood and the cuts/acne and so on, that I listed?
Rationally, I'm sure you can agree, that as a woman our vaginal area that is part of the mucous membrane, does not touch the toilet seat. But more worried about the acne bumps.
On a side not, with genital herpes is there a risk if there was blood on the toilet paper when I went to wipe.
Oh man, I sound redundant; sorry :/
And thank you very much for your response.
Rationally, I'm sure you can agree, that as a woman our vaginal area that is part of the mucous membrane, does not touch the toilet seat. But more worried about the acne bumps.
On a side not, with genital herpes is there a risk if there was blood on the toilet paper when I went to wipe.
Oh man, I sound redundant; sorry :/
And thank you very much for your response.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
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Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
