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Can HIV be transmitted via a nitrous balloon?
Hi Doctor,
I attended a "rave" like party on 8/21/10. At this party, nitrous balloons were being passed around. I took several hits...And now I am wondering if there is any chance I can get HIV from sharing a balloon.
I took an oral HIV test at Planned Parenthood on 9/30/10. It was negative.
I tested for other STD's, negative too. Pap smear was normal.
I have not had unprotected sex in over 1.5 years. My fiance was a virgin, and we have never had unprotected sex.
I have read that HIV is not transmitted via saliva, but I'm wondering if there is any chance of infection if I shared a balloon with someone that perhaps had an open sore, etc. Am I paranoid or is this a valid concern?
I developed a sore throat that doesn't seem to go away. I've read that's a symptom of newly HIV infected persons.
I made myself quite sick for 11 days prior to testing. I didn't eat, sleep, suffered anxiety attacks, nightmares, etc. You would think that after I got my negative test results I would be relieved, on the contrary, I began questioning the accuracy of the oral rapid test. And now I find myself crying and feeling nervous all the time. Please help.
Best,
Vanessa
I attended a "rave" like party on 8/21/10. At this party, nitrous balloons were being passed around. I took several hits...And now I am wondering if there is any chance I can get HIV from sharing a balloon.
I took an oral HIV test at Planned Parenthood on 9/30/10. It was negative.
I tested for other STD's, negative too. Pap smear was normal.
I have not had unprotected sex in over 1.5 years. My fiance was a virgin, and we have never had unprotected sex.
I have read that HIV is not transmitted via saliva, but I'm wondering if there is any chance of infection if I shared a balloon with someone that perhaps had an open sore, etc. Am I paranoid or is this a valid concern?
I developed a sore throat that doesn't seem to go away. I've read that's a symptom of newly HIV infected persons.
I made myself quite sick for 11 days prior to testing. I didn't eat, sleep, suffered anxiety attacks, nightmares, etc. You would think that after I got my negative test results I would be relieved, on the contrary, I began questioning the accuracy of the oral rapid test. And now I find myself crying and feeling nervous all the time. Please help.
Best,
Vanessa
Your doctor is incorrect. Saliva is not infectious and contains over a dozen different enzymes and protiens that inhibits HIV transmission.
Non-Infectious "Bodily Fluids"
•Saliva
•Tears
•Sweat
•Feces
•Urine
Non-Infectious "Bodily Fluids"
•Saliva
•Tears
•Sweat
•Feces
•Urine
I had the same thoughts as you when I was sitting across from the doctor describing my concerns. He was quick to answer that HIV is transmitted via saliva. However, he elaborated by mentioning "deep kissing" as a potential way to contract the virus. Immediately thereafter, he mentioned the most common ways: semen, blood, mother's breast milk, IV drug use, and blood transfusion. He also gave me the example that infected blood cannot enter unbroken skin BUT if someone touched infected blood then rubbed their eye, then that's a risk to contract the virus.
Ok so do I need a "cyber slap to the face" for all my craziness? Perhaps. Maybe.
I'll retest later this year. I'll keep you updated. Thank you again.
Ok so do I need a "cyber slap to the face" for all my craziness? Perhaps. Maybe.
I'll retest later this year. I'll keep you updated. Thank you again.
I hate to say it but your Dr is an idiot. Basically he/she is saying that kissing is a risk for HIV if he/she is saying that this above situation is a risk. No Dr who knows anything will say that it is a risk.
DO NOT RETEST. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO RETEST. GET A NEW DR ASAP. You are going to believe your Dr over an HIV EXPERT like Dr. Hook? Seriously?
Also see a therapist for this anxiety issue.
DO NOT RETEST. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO RETEST. GET A NEW DR ASAP. You are going to believe your Dr over an HIV EXPERT like Dr. Hook? Seriously?
Also see a therapist for this anxiety issue.
Hi Vanessa1013,
To be honest, if i were a doctor, i too, would say the same thing. Simply because doctors have a duty of care to patients and are expected to provide proper advice, as experts. And as experts in the eyes of the law, they are legally liable for the comments they make, one wrong move and woosh goes their licence to practice. It's the same thing for bankers, lawyers, and a few other professions. So it's perfectly understandable that they play it safe, and tell you to test for something as trivial as your balloon game.
The more realistic answer to your question, is please, forget about hiv already, it's not your concern, ever. Seriously! At this moment, you probably need a big slap to the face to wake up, rather than more hiv tests. Wake up!
Take care.
May God bless
reallyregret
To be honest, if i were a doctor, i too, would say the same thing. Simply because doctors have a duty of care to patients and are expected to provide proper advice, as experts. And as experts in the eyes of the law, they are legally liable for the comments they make, one wrong move and woosh goes their licence to practice. It's the same thing for bankers, lawyers, and a few other professions. So it's perfectly understandable that they play it safe, and tell you to test for something as trivial as your balloon game.
The more realistic answer to your question, is please, forget about hiv already, it's not your concern, ever. Seriously! At this moment, you probably need a big slap to the face to wake up, rather than more hiv tests. Wake up!
Take care.
May God bless
reallyregret
UPDATE
I just saw my doctor at Kaiser Permanente. I asked about HIV being transmitted via saliva, he said "Yes". I described the "balloon game" and he told me that the probability was very low, but that he could not say "no risk" because there has never been a specific study based on the activity a described.
However, he did confirm that the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test is pretty accurate. Considering I haven't had unprotected sex in almost a year, he told me that I should believe the results. Nonetheless, since I took the test 40 days after the party, he ordered that I re-test by 12/1/10.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I just saw my doctor at Kaiser Permanente. I asked about HIV being transmitted via saliva, he said "Yes". I described the "balloon game" and he told me that the probability was very low, but that he could not say "no risk" because there has never been a specific study based on the activity a described.
However, he did confirm that the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test is pretty accurate. Considering I haven't had unprotected sex in almost a year, he told me that I should believe the results. Nonetheless, since I took the test 40 days after the party, he ordered that I re-test by 12/1/10.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Vanessa1013,
Glad to be of help. I'll take your word for it!
I hope you'll trust what the doctor told you and move on entirely from this episode.
Have safe fun, and all the best to you and your fiance.
Take care.
May God bless
reallyregret
Glad to be of help. I'll take your word for it!
I hope you'll trust what the doctor told you and move on entirely from this episode.
Have safe fun, and all the best to you and your fiance.
Take care.
May God bless
reallyregret
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