Aa
I think I am a rational person but....
Okay here is my story, and in advance I am sorry if I annoy anyone, but I think I am currently experiencing a mental break down. First of all my sister died of a traumatic brain injury in Feb, we waited and watched her die--living in a hospital for a month, once removed from life support it took her a week before death took her. Since then I have been having major panic attacks, this has been since exasperated by the fact that another sister was admitted to the hospital for heart problems, followed by my one year old dog having to be rushed to the vet at 4 am in the morning and my boyfriend being admitted to the hospital for a bowel obstruction and perforation--fever the whole nine yards. This all happened within the last two months. I know I am suffering from anxiety, though not diagnosed, I know that I am not myself, however, while in the ICU I brought a coffee in (we were staying with my sister pretty 24/7 because though she was in ICU she was palliative care because PC had no beds)-- the burse lectured me that I wasn't suppose to have that in there because I could `catch something"---and I didn't misunderstand him--he said I could catch something, not that I could be introducing something into the environment of the ICU that could be potentially harmful to my sister or other patients--me. I was obviously already in a fragile state--mentally as we were literally sitting vigil waiting for my sister to pass.
This got me thinking--what could I catch? HIV, HEP C, HBV? I know this is the HIV forum so I am getting to my point about HIV.
It then occurred to me that in 2005 or 2006 not sure which, I touched the sheets (bedding) containing vomit from a person who was HIV positive. At the time, I didn't think anything of it because I thought, I knew at the time anyway, that Vomit wasn't a "transmission route"-- I remember some of the vomit getting on my hand, and thumb, though because this was so long ago I cant remember if I had "exactly perfectly intact skin", however, from what I have read, (and I am trying to be discriminate to what I read because there is so much misinformation out there) I would require a large, deep wound--correct, and if I had such a wound I probably wouldn't be doing laundry correct? also I cant remember if there was visible blood, though I suspect "visible" would suggest that I would have noticed, blood--the sheet would have been stained, or I would have noticed bloody puke on my hand correct? I believe dr HHH or Hook said "literally sitting in a puddle (pool) of vomited blood" might pose a risk, this I am sure I wasn't doing. And Dr. HHH says that he believes that vomit if it was tainted by HIV +blood would be "killed by the enzymes and stomach acid"--I do know it was vomit because I remember gagging from the smell so I do know it contained stomach contents--therefore stomach acid. I am unsure of the time lapse between the actually vomiting and me coming in contact with it, but I do not think it was very long. Lets say a minute or two, though, half of my mind is saying that the time frame doesn't matter.
I know when Teak answers he is going to list the three ways that HIV is transmitted, and I am not a drug use, my mother didn't have HIV--so mother to baby is out, and I have always practiced safe sex, (even after getting my partner tested) I am 28 and I have only had one partner-- and before we started to have sex I made him get tested--and being that I was a virgin--I knew my status-- and because I have a strong family history of heart disease I am not encouraged by my dr to take the pill--because of the potential blood clotting hazard--so my only "exposure" if this can be classified as exposure--from what I have read--likely not.
I would prefer responses from Teak, Nursegirl or Greenlydia.
I do not want to come across as ignorant and I know that I am suffering from mental illness--post tramatic stress due to all that has happened in my life in the last 2 months.
Not to mention while this was going on-- I was on antibiotics for two separate things--but bother were broad spectrum antibiotics, while being stressed out and not sleeping with what was going on with my sister-- I developed Thrush of the mouth--I have a masters in information and knowledge management (I am researcher) so what did I do--I googled Thrush--what pops up--HIV, --mental break.
Spoke with my Dr,. and he said people with "HIV thrush" develop thrush-- mine was directly related to the fact I was on long term antibiotics, and it was treated and cured with oral nystatin--where as HIV patients often require IV antifungal medication.
Nursegirl, has said the only way an ADULT can get HIV is through sharing needles and or unprotected sex--I fall under neither category. So despite the fact that I feel like I have answered my own question-- I am not looking for "hand holding" and I wont be one of those annoying posters that will continually post-- I think I just need confirmation on my specific scenario to put my mind at ease.
So to sum up:
Touched vomit, via bedding linen, shortly after vomit was projected, unsure of blood, but definitely came in contact with the vomit.
Not certain of skin integrity, though I often have small cuts and abrasions and lets say I might have been bleeding, but I am sure had I seen any blood at that time I would have freaked. But to be safe lets say I did have a cut--though nursegirl has said that "cuts abrasions have no relevance" for transmission. And I am sure you and Green Lydia have been puked on by many HIV + patients and we all have tiny cuts all the time--right?
I really hope you don't think I am ignorant.
Please say no risk. This was at least 7-8 years ago
This got me thinking--what could I catch? HIV, HEP C, HBV? I know this is the HIV forum so I am getting to my point about HIV.
It then occurred to me that in 2005 or 2006 not sure which, I touched the sheets (bedding) containing vomit from a person who was HIV positive. At the time, I didn't think anything of it because I thought, I knew at the time anyway, that Vomit wasn't a "transmission route"-- I remember some of the vomit getting on my hand, and thumb, though because this was so long ago I cant remember if I had "exactly perfectly intact skin", however, from what I have read, (and I am trying to be discriminate to what I read because there is so much misinformation out there) I would require a large, deep wound--correct, and if I had such a wound I probably wouldn't be doing laundry correct? also I cant remember if there was visible blood, though I suspect "visible" would suggest that I would have noticed, blood--the sheet would have been stained, or I would have noticed bloody puke on my hand correct? I believe dr HHH or Hook said "literally sitting in a puddle (pool) of vomited blood" might pose a risk, this I am sure I wasn't doing. And Dr. HHH says that he believes that vomit if it was tainted by HIV +blood would be "killed by the enzymes and stomach acid"--I do know it was vomit because I remember gagging from the smell so I do know it contained stomach contents--therefore stomach acid. I am unsure of the time lapse between the actually vomiting and me coming in contact with it, but I do not think it was very long. Lets say a minute or two, though, half of my mind is saying that the time frame doesn't matter.
I know when Teak answers he is going to list the three ways that HIV is transmitted, and I am not a drug use, my mother didn't have HIV--so mother to baby is out, and I have always practiced safe sex, (even after getting my partner tested) I am 28 and I have only had one partner-- and before we started to have sex I made him get tested--and being that I was a virgin--I knew my status-- and because I have a strong family history of heart disease I am not encouraged by my dr to take the pill--because of the potential blood clotting hazard--so my only "exposure" if this can be classified as exposure--from what I have read--likely not.
I would prefer responses from Teak, Nursegirl or Greenlydia.
I do not want to come across as ignorant and I know that I am suffering from mental illness--post tramatic stress due to all that has happened in my life in the last 2 months.
Not to mention while this was going on-- I was on antibiotics for two separate things--but bother were broad spectrum antibiotics, while being stressed out and not sleeping with what was going on with my sister-- I developed Thrush of the mouth--I have a masters in information and knowledge management (I am researcher) so what did I do--I googled Thrush--what pops up--HIV, --mental break.
Spoke with my Dr,. and he said people with "HIV thrush" develop thrush-- mine was directly related to the fact I was on long term antibiotics, and it was treated and cured with oral nystatin--where as HIV patients often require IV antifungal medication.
Nursegirl, has said the only way an ADULT can get HIV is through sharing needles and or unprotected sex--I fall under neither category. So despite the fact that I feel like I have answered my own question-- I am not looking for "hand holding" and I wont be one of those annoying posters that will continually post-- I think I just need confirmation on my specific scenario to put my mind at ease.
So to sum up:
Touched vomit, via bedding linen, shortly after vomit was projected, unsure of blood, but definitely came in contact with the vomit.
Not certain of skin integrity, though I often have small cuts and abrasions and lets say I might have been bleeding, but I am sure had I seen any blood at that time I would have freaked. But to be safe lets say I did have a cut--though nursegirl has said that "cuts abrasions have no relevance" for transmission. And I am sure you and Green Lydia have been puked on by many HIV + patients and we all have tiny cuts all the time--right?
I really hope you don't think I am ignorant.
Please say no risk. This was at least 7-8 years ago
Yes the entertainment disclaimer--when suffering from anxiety-- can make one feel like Mel Gibson in Conspiracy Theory, the magic bullet and the Grassy knoll--but then rational thought emerge and you realize that is just legal jargon. --not crazy all the time :)
Thank you nursegirl-- your response just made me cry. This will be my last post-- it is a terrible feeling to know your thoughts are irrational and still not have the power to stop them. I think I began to focus on this so that I could be distracted from the reality that was my sister. after her emergency brain surgery she was up sitting in bed talking knew all my sisters, I Iive across the country and I flew home and by the time I got there what made her her was gone. She slipped into a state of unconsciousness and to avoid thinking about her reality I allowed my mind to focus on this irrational fear, because if it was that easily transmitted everyone would have it.
I know I need help--I know I am not myself, and my hubby, (children two pitbulls and two cats also realize it--Teak I am sure you agree that our fury children know when we are not okay--medically or mentally) that I haven't been able to bounce back.
The mind is a wonderful thing, but it can do incredible things to a person in a vulnerable state.
Thank you all so very much. Before I grew the balls to post in here, I read, and read, and reread posts of yours (all three of you, and you don't realize how much comfort your brought to me).
You guys are amazing, and I feel like I love you all.
Take care and thank you for doing what you do.
Especially nurse girl. I have encountered a lot of nurses in that last two months and all of the nurses still talked to my sister told her what they were going to do to her even tho the drs said that what made my sister my sister was gone the nurses and drs both agreed that no one knows what people, what my sister could hear, However over a one month span being there pretty close to 24 hours a day because there is no limit to hours in either icu or palliative care I encountered a lot of nurses. One nurse of my sisters after working her 12 hours found me in the hallway crying ( the last time I had seen my sister was in August living in alberta made seeing family difficult) anyway when she saw me so up set she sat with me for a half hour and talked with me-- she by far was my favorite nurse. Each of my family members have our own favorite nurses and although the drs are great it was the nurses that made our stay and my sisters transition the best experience it could be.
Doing the profession that you do you likely do not know how much you guys touch the lives of not just patients but the patients family.the nurses didn't just have my sister as a patient they were concerned about us (my sisters daughter and me and my other two sisters) getting us blankets (heated ones) because her icu unit was like a freezer because she was ( after it was decided to let nature take its course battling a fever) they kept the room freezing to keep her comfortable and gave us blankets, they never questioned why we wouldn't go home because we didn't want her to be alone to die with none of her family there.
And Teak, my unlce is a paramedic, and medivac team member-- you are the Dr and nurses on the front front lines-- you save the patients until the drs and nurse can same them completely--than you for what you have done.
Thanks.
I know this is the prevention forum so I will keep my anxiety out of this place.
Thank you
I know I need help--I know I am not myself, and my hubby, (children two pitbulls and two cats also realize it--Teak I am sure you agree that our fury children know when we are not okay--medically or mentally) that I haven't been able to bounce back.
The mind is a wonderful thing, but it can do incredible things to a person in a vulnerable state.
Thank you all so very much. Before I grew the balls to post in here, I read, and read, and reread posts of yours (all three of you, and you don't realize how much comfort your brought to me).
You guys are amazing, and I feel like I love you all.
Take care and thank you for doing what you do.
Especially nurse girl. I have encountered a lot of nurses in that last two months and all of the nurses still talked to my sister told her what they were going to do to her even tho the drs said that what made my sister my sister was gone the nurses and drs both agreed that no one knows what people, what my sister could hear, However over a one month span being there pretty close to 24 hours a day because there is no limit to hours in either icu or palliative care I encountered a lot of nurses. One nurse of my sisters after working her 12 hours found me in the hallway crying ( the last time I had seen my sister was in August living in alberta made seeing family difficult) anyway when she saw me so up set she sat with me for a half hour and talked with me-- she by far was my favorite nurse. Each of my family members have our own favorite nurses and although the drs are great it was the nurses that made our stay and my sisters transition the best experience it could be.
Doing the profession that you do you likely do not know how much you guys touch the lives of not just patients but the patients family.the nurses didn't just have my sister as a patient they were concerned about us (my sisters daughter and me and my other two sisters) getting us blankets (heated ones) because her icu unit was like a freezer because she was ( after it was decided to let nature take its course battling a fever) they kept the room freezing to keep her comfortable and gave us blankets, they never questioned why we wouldn't go home because we didn't want her to be alone to die with none of her family there.
And Teak, my unlce is a paramedic, and medivac team member-- you are the Dr and nurses on the front front lines-- you save the patients until the drs and nurse can same them completely--than you for what you have done.
Thanks.
I know this is the prevention forum so I will keep my anxiety out of this place.
Thank you
I want to add something else....
You start out by saying "I'm a rational person..."
All people with anxiety (well most of them anyway) are rational people, but anxiety is NOT rational. I speak from experience, having panic disorder is frustrating, because I'm that analytical, scientific person, but when my anxiety peaks, all rational thoughts go right out the window, and I struggle to convince myself of the most ridiculous things. Right now, you're suffering from anxiety and panic, which is not rational. That's where the professional help comes into play...therapy will teach you how to reign in those thoughts and stop the cycle of anxious thinking and "what iffing".
Feel free to post on the anxiety community, you could use the journal feature to write down your thoughts, there's a lot you could do that doesn't involve continuing the discussion about HIV. While you will get a momentary sense of relief and reassurance, the nature of anxiety won't allow that feeling to stay long, and you'll find yourself wanting to seek more reassurance...it's very cyclic. In all honesty, that seeking of reasurance FUELS anxiety in the end because it keeps the cycle going. You will need to learn how to stop that cycle, rather than encourage it.
We'll help you in the anxiety community....to start making some changes to start getting this to a more manageable level. It's going to take some time though, so be patient with yourself.
You start out by saying "I'm a rational person..."
All people with anxiety (well most of them anyway) are rational people, but anxiety is NOT rational. I speak from experience, having panic disorder is frustrating, because I'm that analytical, scientific person, but when my anxiety peaks, all rational thoughts go right out the window, and I struggle to convince myself of the most ridiculous things. Right now, you're suffering from anxiety and panic, which is not rational. That's where the professional help comes into play...therapy will teach you how to reign in those thoughts and stop the cycle of anxious thinking and "what iffing".
Feel free to post on the anxiety community, you could use the journal feature to write down your thoughts, there's a lot you could do that doesn't involve continuing the discussion about HIV. While you will get a momentary sense of relief and reassurance, the nature of anxiety won't allow that feeling to stay long, and you'll find yourself wanting to seek more reassurance...it's very cyclic. In all honesty, that seeking of reasurance FUELS anxiety in the end because it keeps the cycle going. You will need to learn how to stop that cycle, rather than encourage it.
We'll help you in the anxiety community....to start making some changes to start getting this to a more manageable level. It's going to take some time though, so be patient with yourself.
Dr.Bob while he was still with us, gave answers at times that made me scratch my head. Because they were in such stark contrast to facts.
He normally answered low risk for oral sex, yet one time he said him and his partner has been doing oral sex for 7 yrs or something like that and his partner was never infected. So in that statement he was saying no risk.
So you can find real and fake answers to any question you have on the web.
He normally answered low risk for oral sex, yet one time he said him and his partner has been doing oral sex for 7 yrs or something like that and his partner was never infected. So in that statement he was saying no risk.
So you can find real and fake answers to any question you have on the web.
It even scares me slightly that the medhelp disclaimer suggests that this website is for entertainment purposes
All that means is that people aren't supposed to use the advice on MH (even from the docs) as their medical care. It's just for informational purposes only.
All that means is that people aren't supposed to use the advice on MH (even from the docs) as their medical care. It's just for informational purposes only.
Dear, you have answered all of your own questions...so all I can say is that yes, you're correct about everything you wrote, that you could not have HIV based on all of the info you have provided. You were never at risk.
You've done your homework, which is good....but now it's time to address what you have already acknowledged to be the problenm...anxiety, stress, panic. You've experienced great loss and stress lately, and what you're experiencing is par for the course...the stress and trauma is presenting as anxiety and panic, but since you don't have a specific CURRENT reason to be anxious, your brain has pointed you in a direction of something to worry about....HIV!
You absolutely need to seek professional help. The best thing you could do for yourself is to NOT search the internet, that will only fuel the anxiety and send messages to your brain that you should be worried about HIV, so even if you KNOW you have nothing to worry about when it comes to HIV, you'll have a hard time convincing your mind of that when you are feeding it all kinds of ideas, images, and info concerning HIV. Make sense?
So, that's the answer. In no way were you EVER at risk. Nurses tell people that about food and drinks because, to be honest, it's just ooky. If you think of all of the yucky stuff that has been in a hospital room, you really don't want to be sitting down with a meal. As far as "catching something"..about the only thing you could "catch" in that environment, being a healthy person, is a cold. And that would be true, drink or no drink.
Hope you get the help you need, and SO very sorry about the loss of your sister. I'm sure that was just terrible. I know the course she followed, professionally, and it certainly is SO very heartbreaking for the family. If it's any consolation, I worked in a nursing home where we cared for people (many of them very very young) who DID survive their TBI, and it was just so sad. Absolutely NO quality of life at all. In that sense, your sister is in a better place.
Best to you hon.
You've done your homework, which is good....but now it's time to address what you have already acknowledged to be the problenm...anxiety, stress, panic. You've experienced great loss and stress lately, and what you're experiencing is par for the course...the stress and trauma is presenting as anxiety and panic, but since you don't have a specific CURRENT reason to be anxious, your brain has pointed you in a direction of something to worry about....HIV!
You absolutely need to seek professional help. The best thing you could do for yourself is to NOT search the internet, that will only fuel the anxiety and send messages to your brain that you should be worried about HIV, so even if you KNOW you have nothing to worry about when it comes to HIV, you'll have a hard time convincing your mind of that when you are feeding it all kinds of ideas, images, and info concerning HIV. Make sense?
So, that's the answer. In no way were you EVER at risk. Nurses tell people that about food and drinks because, to be honest, it's just ooky. If you think of all of the yucky stuff that has been in a hospital room, you really don't want to be sitting down with a meal. As far as "catching something"..about the only thing you could "catch" in that environment, being a healthy person, is a cold. And that would be true, drink or no drink.
Hope you get the help you need, and SO very sorry about the loss of your sister. I'm sure that was just terrible. I know the course she followed, professionally, and it certainly is SO very heartbreaking for the family. If it's any consolation, I worked in a nursing home where we cared for people (many of them very very young) who DID survive their TBI, and it was just so sad. Absolutely NO quality of life at all. In that sense, your sister is in a better place.
Best to you hon.
Where did you see that term "visable blood" because it's not a risk. HIV is a fragile virus and outside the host (body) it can not replicate and because inactive very shortly after. When blood is a possible risk is when it is directly injected deep into muscle/tissue or into the blood stream directly (IV drug use).
Hi Vance,
I know have anxiety, and I am seeing a psychiatrist next week because I know I am not myself-- though I don't suspect anyone would be themselves after all of this sh*t that has happened, and I am sorry you can see my anxiety manifesting. The only reason why I ask the "visible blood" question is that it appears to be the catchall---urine, tears, feces, saliva do not transmit HIV **unless they contain visible blood** I was just wondering if some clarification could be given on what constitutes "visible blood".
Not here to annoy anyone, Vance, or Teak I am looking to learn, and I wont continue to harangue any of you.
I know have anxiety, and I am seeing a psychiatrist next week because I know I am not myself-- though I don't suspect anyone would be themselves after all of this sh*t that has happened, and I am sorry you can see my anxiety manifesting. The only reason why I ask the "visible blood" question is that it appears to be the catchall---urine, tears, feces, saliva do not transmit HIV **unless they contain visible blood** I was just wondering if some clarification could be given on what constitutes "visible blood".
Not here to annoy anyone, Vance, or Teak I am looking to learn, and I wont continue to harangue any of you.
We are sorry for your loss and everything you have went though, but asking anxiety driven questions is not the best for you. I suggest a therapsit at this time.
And no this site is not giving answers just for "entertainment", it has to list that because regular people without medical training can answer questions on any forum.
And no this site is not giving answers just for "entertainment", it has to list that because regular people without medical training can answer questions on any forum.
Can you explain, what constitutes "visible blood" and would visibility be in relativity to the over all quantity of other fluids? Or is vomit "containing visible blood" to be inferred as vomiting blood, vs, vomit with blood. Because it stands to reason that anytime we vomit there is likely some blood because stuff is going the wrong direction. The esophagus is a south bound lane, and vomit moves north, so there is some irritation, and therefore likely some "tiny bit" of blood, correct, but there is more vomit than blood. I am asking you this more out of pursuit of knowledge than questioning your "not an HIV concern" because I believe if you thought I had one you would tell me.
Hey teak
Thanks for the response it is greatly appreciated. I have always considered myself to be educated and I never thought of the situation until the nurse said I could catch something it's amazing the power of two words can have over someone-- I know the state mind I was /is in has played a huge role in my renumerating about the events with the sheet and the fact that the Internet is chalk full of scary information incorrect information. It even scares me slightly that the medhelp disclaimer suggests that this website is for entertainment purposes but I do not find anything entertaining about this site, this is not entertaining advice right Teak? But a legit answer my question. Thank you.
Thanks for the response it is greatly appreciated. I have always considered myself to be educated and I never thought of the situation until the nurse said I could catch something it's amazing the power of two words can have over someone-- I know the state mind I was /is in has played a huge role in my renumerating about the events with the sheet and the fact that the Internet is chalk full of scary information incorrect information. It even scares me slightly that the medhelp disclaimer suggests that this website is for entertainment purposes but I do not find anything entertaining about this site, this is not entertaining advice right Teak? But a legit answer my question. Thank you.
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