Aa
How long do STD viruses survive?
I work at a small convenience store that accepts returns with no questions asked. Two days ago, a woman inexplicably returned some sort of underwear with unusual dark coloring, and one of my fellow employees left the returned item in a basket filled with merchandise that was set to be returned to the shelves. Later that day, one of my other co-workers looked at the item and recognized the dark coloring to be blood, and deduced it likely came from a period or menstrual blood. I have no idea if the woman had any STD or HIV, but now I am thinking of possible worst case scenarios. Because we clock in and out of the cash registers we work on, I have no idea who else might have touched the underwear and/possibly the blood, didn't realize it or didn't wash themselves, and clocked in and out. Even though I never directly touched the product, I still had to put away merchandise that shared the same basket as the bloodied underwear. I did touch parts of the basket, and now I am freaking out that if there was a STD virus that can live in blood and surfaces for almost a week such as Hepatitis, then the virus could have been transferred to my keys and work uniform, and then spread to other stuff in my house. I don't like the idea of my things at home having this potential virus on them. Am I over-thinking this, and is there a reason to believe that that the same STD virus that may have been on this basket could be in my hair or on my bed, or is the virus dead by now?
no, this isn't a risk either.
this is an ick factor, not a risk for anything.
grace
this is an ick factor, not a risk for anything.
grace
I know they are not passed from objects objects, but is it possible by touching where blood used to be can cause the virus or blood matter/particles to be carried over to my hands, then wallet, etc.? I read multiple places that Hepatitis can survive for up to a week...It's more of me being concerned that these viruses could be living on my belongings, not necessarily on me. I'm kind of OCD about germs....
I appreciate your insight vance, thank you.
I appreciate your insight vance, thank you.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the STDs / STIs Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
