HIV from a manicure?

[vms111]

Dear Doctor,

I'm scared. I had a manicure done a week ago during which the technician cut and injured my cuticle (it bled) and then proceded by grapping a bottle with an antiseptic (I think it was liquid styptic) that he applied to my injured site. Much to my horror, I saw that the tip of the antiseptic bottle came in touch with my wound! What if the bottle was HIV contaminated? I also don't know if the cuticle scissors were all that clean (I didn't see him take it out of the sterilizer and it seemed they had their scissors immersed in some clear blue liquid. I'm really worried because 5 days later I developed a cough, sore throat, runny nose with itchiness and congestion, sneezing, sinus problems and so on. I read that these are the initial HIV symptoms. I'm so scared because I do not engage in any risk behavior that would predispose me to such a disease. All I did was getting a manicure to look good for a job interview and now this! Please help, I'm losing sleep over this!!!

[vms111]

Thanks. I'm just worried because I think that with my luck any unfortunate event is possible. I have to say though that a few hours prior to the manicure, I was on a plane that had a lot of sick people on (they were coughing, sneezing, etc,) and I'm hoping I caught something on the plane.Thanks for being so considerate and answering my post. Wishing you well.

[OnceAnIdiot]

Hi,

Stop losing sleep. This type of exposure has absolutely no risk for HIV.

HIV can not survive outside of the human body for very long. You would have to come into contact with fresh HIV infected blood for you to be at risk of being infected. Contrary to popular belief it is not as easy as people think to be infected with HIV.

Your symptoms are most likely due to your anxiety over the issue.

Anxiety is a very powerful thing.

Stop worrying you are at No Risk