Blood in drink

[Goubead]

Hi Ieft my drink on my desk and I am worried that a colleague has put blood or spit in to my drink and I drank it ? i left a herbal mixture I. My desk and when I can back I colleague of mine was near it whom is homosexual and was unattended. i am concerned as I don't know I if he did, it just keeos playing in my mind when I did drink it roughly 4-5 hrs later it was 2.5mls diluted in 4mls of water followed by another 5mls of water. I than remembered I left the bottle unattended and made myself throw everything up

[Goubead]

I'm so sorry if I have offended anyone

[master117]

It's good to be skeptical of people's motives sometimes, but don't let that allow you to become a pessimist. Try not to assume others have it out for you, or are trying in some way to bother or harm you. Most of the time you would be wrong in your thinking, and also, think about how it would feel if someone else was suspecting you of putting your blood in their cup. Wouldn't you feel a little insulted? Don't think bad of others when you know how it would feel on your end.

[JGF25]

I learned cognitive behavioral therapy and did exposure therapy.  CBT is when you replace fictions with facts.  You either verbally self-coach yourself or you can write stuff down.  I learned a breathing technique that I still use to this day that helps calm me down when I'm in panic mode.  

I educated myself about HIV and the ways it is and is not transmitted.  I sat in the AIDS clinic for several weeks to get over my fear.  After that I became a blood donor.  I learned that you cannot avoid the things you fear but rather you have to face them head on with a big fat "WHATEVER."  

It takes work on our part to help ourselves get over irrational thinking but it can be done and you can get better.  I also take medication.  I have what is known as "Pure O" where my OCD is primarily obesessional thinking.  

[Goubead]

That's interesting what are some of the things he taught you if you don't mind sharing

[Goubead]

Thankyou I have read different things and some people say things that scare I'm just scared and can't stop thinking about it

[JGF25]

You have nothing to apologize for.  YOu didn't offend anyone.  This is a very common irrational thought.  I'm glad that you posted so that I could give you some facts that you might not have known.  No I'm not a nurse but I do work at a hospital and my psychologist at the time set that up for me.  It worked.  I no longer fear HIV or people with HIV.  

[Goubead]

Thank you for your reply, I'm sorry if I offended anyone I didn't mean to, are you a nurse to be able to do that ? I'm just parinoid at the unknown but from what your saying is that if it did happen the the contents in my bottle of herbs will destroy the virus I really an sorry I only vomited on this occasion have never done it before

[JGF25]

Hi there...first of all let me just say that not all homosexuals are HIV positive, and I am going on the assumption that this is what you are afraid of.  The next thing you need to know is that even if he did spit in your drink or put blood in your drink, which you have to agree sounds pretty darn irrational, nothing would happen to you.  HIV is not transmitted via saliva and dies once the blood leaves the body and comes into contact with air, surfaces, etc.  You have to remember, if it were easy to get HIV, then we would all have it by now.  You are doing more harm by inducing vomiting because the stomach acid is bad for your teeth and gums, the lining of your throat, mouth and esophagus so I hope that you are not making a habit of this type of thing every time you think something like this has happened.  

You need to seek help for your HIV anxiety via a psychologist, learn the facts, and move on with your life.  Trust me, I know...I spent many a lunch hour sitting in an AIDS clinic to get over my own HIV anxiety.