Needle ***** concern questions

[marklester1]

Today I noticed a small red circular wound on the tip of the ring finger on my right hand. It looks like a puncture wound that would be made from a small sharp object. I don't remember the incident that produced the wound and now my mind is coming up with all sorts of ideas about how I may have pricked myself on a needle that had been used to inject drugs and that may have had active HIV blood in it.

When I squeeze the tip of my finger I can't produce any blood from it but it may be that I'm only noticing the mark now when the incident occurred at some time previous.

Coincidentally, I dropped the attachment of my shaving razor into the drain of my sink today. The drain of the sink is quite dirty and upon fishing the top of the razor out with the handle I cut my middle finger on it. I remember hearing that although HIV does not survive long outside of the host, it might survive longer in a damp environment. Any chance that there could have been an infection from this event?

I anticipate that your response will probably be that I shouldn't worry about HIV from these incidents (especially the second one), although I have noticed a bit of a discrepancy of opinion between some of the helpful people on this board and some of the doctor's as to whether needle pricks and other types of injuries are low risk or essentially no risk.


So I guess I'd like to ask your opinion about these event and whether prophylactic treatment or testing is necessary. And on a more general note - if you believe this is not a risky incident - what type of "needle prick or other sharp object related" type of incident would you deem worthy of actual concern and testing.
I ask this as someone who probably suffers from OCD related anxiety about HIV.  

Many thanks for your time and opinions

[marklester1]

Thanks for the reply

I worry about it being a hollow tip and having some active blood in it though

[RainLover71]

I doubt you were poked by a syringe but even if you were the tip would not infect you because the virus becomes inactive once outside it's host like you are aware and therefore you had no risk,the razor incident is the same.There is no need to test for either situation and you might be correct in saying this could be OCD anxiety and nothing more.We have a great answerer on the OCD community forum,you might want to speak to her about your possible OCD related anxiety.All the best.