Fear of spreading contamination

[tazbomb]

Here is a question I have asked a fellow member but would also like to put to everyone else as my mind doesn't allow me to believe myself sometimes.  I have a constant fear of contamination with hiv and fear environmental transmission from inanimate objects that have somehow got the virus on them be it through blood or other contaminated fluids (usually blood).  I then fear the rapid spread of the virus from one object to another.  Irrational as I know it sounds, this is what my ocd has trained me to believe.  
So The other day I took out some rubbish that I felt was 'contaminated' in work.  Then afterwards, I noticed the caretaker collecting rubbish and sorting the bins and now I'm worried that he picked up the hiv virus from the dirty bags I had or the bins.  I'm trying to tell myself that the 'contaminated' objects (dirty soap bottle & disinfectant spray bottle) that were in the rubbish couldn't have been carrying anything by then because they'd been there for a few weeks and the virus can't survive and therefore I couldn't have contaminated the bags or bins.  Am I right in thinking this? And how can I get my mind to believe it? I just want to feel comfortable both in home and in work but at the moment I'm finding it very difficult.

[tazbomb]

Thanks, that helps a lot.  I am seeing someone but she is going very slow and has not yet given me any techniques to help so today I started erp myself.  I had a notion that my phone was contaminated so I used it and then rubbed my hands through my hair and all over me.  Then when I thought my jeans were 'contaminated' I rubbed those on myself, my hair my phone etc.  And guess what?? I survived and it felt good!! I know I've a long way to go but I guess u have to start somewhere!! I'll try to up my SUDS level as I go along!

[FightagainstOCD]

It cannot spread that way, you have not contaminated everything. Please try to relax and not try to think about it. I have the same constant fear and I suffer everyday. I am on meds and seeing a therapist too. It is helping me a lot. Please see a therapist if you are not seeing anyone now.

Please feel free to talk to people on this forum if you are too anxious. We all have the same problem i.e,. OCD and we can get better and lead a peaceful life. GOD BLESS! Please write back if you have questions

[lola099]

I myself have the same fear, although it is very easy for me to tell you not to worry :)
There is no need to worry about this. HIV is not spread this way. I know that you know this as well but that your OCD is most likely making you fear the worst or needing reassuring. That is why we are here, so stop worrying.

[caregiver222]

You have to remember that contact with various pathogenic bacterial and viral agents is necessary to maintain life. A normal human being requires contact with other organisms that may cause danger in order to maintain the human immune system. If a person were to keep themselves in a sterile environment from birth, they would be more likely to die when simply being in a crowd with people who were aerosolizing contagious organisms. The human body is marvelous. Now I do now buy the theory that the HIV virus can only be spread by intercourse. That makes no sense whatsoever except as a means to avoid quarantining those with the infection. However I have cares for HIV positive patients and given them injections and been stuck with HIV contaminated needles (without seroconverting) and can assure you that HIV is VERY difficult to transmit to another human being with a functioning immune system. Excessive thinking about obtaining disease through everyday actions is a psychiatric issue. The primary point is that it is counter-productive.

[michael852]

HIV can not be spread that way if it was everyone would have it.HIV happens in the body to another body via intercourse.