Please answer my questions

[AuroraAriel]

I would like your help in answering some questions. Please help.

How accurate is a 4th generation CMIA test at 20 days? I did this test because I had a blood draw at a hospital and I did not see the phlebotomist throw the needle that she used to draw my blood which led me into thinking what if a used needle that wasn't thrown away was used to draw my blood. I couldn't stop thinking about this so I decided to have a test 20 days after this. I know the recommended time is 28 days but will a 20-day test have some value?

Another situation that I would like to ask for help. I have a +ive friend and he used my straw to drink from my glass. I know that he had a cut in his inner lip and that it was bleeding at some point because he even showed it to me. I also had wound in my mouth that time. A deep wound from infected molars. Basically my molars were hollowed and it was also bleeding from time to time. Should this concern me because we shared a straw while my friend had a cut in his lip and I had also a wound in my mouth?

Please answer. Thanks.

[AuroraAriel]

Hello again. I apologize if this is something that I keep following up on. I went and got an Ag/Ab test 15 days after the situation I described in my original post just to make sure. The result was non-reactive. During the counselling though, I was asked by the counsellor why I got a test in the first place. I told her about the situation. She then told me about window periods and that it's best that I get a test by October or before the end of the year to make sure. She also told me to be more careful around my + friend next time. I'm assuming she meant careful with sharing straws because that was the situation that I described to her.

Please help me understand. I know that a test at 15 days is not conclusive but is there any value to a 15-day test? Do I really have to wait before the end of the year to make sure? You mentioned that I shouldn't worry about this situation. Why does the counsellor, who is a medically trained professional, say that I have to wait until the end of the year to get final results?

Please answer my questions. I apologize again if I keep following up but I just need clarity on this. Please.

[Chima7]

Nothing you posted is a risk for HIV. The person have you incorrect information. I realize you're freaking out about this but the facts are that, unless you had unprotected penetrative sex with, or used the same IV drug needles that your HIV+ friend just finished using, then took had no risk and had no reason to get tested in the first place. You're completely fine and have nothing to worry about. Just use condoms if you ever decide to have sex with your friend and just say no to drugs and you'll never have to worry about HIV.

[GuitarRox]

You need to find a new doctor.  There is not an HIV expert out there that says sharing a straw with an HIV + person is a risk.  It's not.  Saliva and air inactivate the virus.  Find a new doctor who learned something in medical school!  

[AuroraAriel]

Hi, Chima7 and GuitarRox. Thank you for responding. I'm not sure whether you were able to ready my original post on this thread but my concern is not just sharing a straw. It's sharing a straw while the other person has a cut in his inner lip which bled at one point, and I also have a wound in my mouth which was also bleeding from time to time.

Again, I apologize for the follow up. I hope you still respond to my question. Thanks.

[Kirstie_MHModerator]

You have been advised that this scenario is not a risk for HIV.  I suggest that you carefully re-read this thread, ad you will see that your question about a cut has been fully answered, and you have been advised about the ONLY ways that HIV can transmit.  There is nothing more our members can add about this no-risk scenario.

********* THREAD CLOSED **********

[AuroraAriel]

Thank you for responding. I see what you're trying to explain for the first scenario. How about the second one though? I understand that sharing utensils should not be a concern but what about if both people have a cut or wound in their mouth? In my scenario, my + friend had a cut in his lip that was bleeding at one point and I also had a wound that was somewhat deep and infected and was bleeding sometimes because of a tooth infection. If the + person's blood somewhat got on the straw and I drank using it after while I have a wound in my mouth, should this still not be a concern?

[CurfewX]

No concern at all.  First, once blood is outside of the body, it loses its ability to infect.  Blood on a straw would not be infectious.  Second, when we're talking about "wounds," HIV transmission would require direct wound-to-wound contact, and the wounds would have to be bleeding profusely and of sufficient magnitude to allow blood to enter the bloodstream.  This does not happen with superficial cuts or scrapes.  Basically, it would require two people with severely bleeding wounds that require immediate medical attention, such as those one would encounter in a car wreck that required an ambulance for both parties.

[CurfewX]

Risks for HIV are:
1) having unprotected, penetrative anal or vaginal sex, or
2) sharing intravenous needles.

Nothing else that you can think of, including the two events you described, is a risk for HIV.  A blood draw needle isn't injecting anything INTO your bloodstream.  Also, no one re-uses needles anymore due to the risk of various infections.  NO ONE.

[AuroraAriel]

Just to add, my friend had a cut in his inner lip because he kept accidentally biting it.