There is a risk of HIV transmission when reusing cotton swabs to collect urethral

[BenjaminV]

Hello everyone, hope you can help me.
I was in a state of stres because I went to a gynaecologist, the doctor took my urethral fluid and suspected it was using a cotton swab from the previous person. I am worried about the possibility of HIV transmission from this case looking for advice.

[BenjaminV]

Can I ask one more question? The towel had some blood unwashed because the person had a scratch on his hand that had little blood on it and I had a large wound on my leg that had stopped bleeding. I accidentally used that towel after 3 hours of the previous person to wipe my body after bathing and touching the wound, in this case I am at risk of HIV infection?

[Sara_MHModerator]

You were advised what the actual risks of HIV and only those are risks.

***  thread closed ***

[BenjaminV]

I was advised by a local clinic consultant to be at risk. I'm so worried about that, like my problem is there's no risk even if that cotton swab has HIV right?
Thanks for everyone's advice

[CurfewX]

The only risks for HIV in adults are:
1) Having unprotected (no condom) penetrative anal or vaginal sex, OR
2) Sharing IV drug equipment with other IV drug users.

HIV is not transmitted via blood or fluids outside of the body, on surfaces or objects (including a cotton ball). You had zero risk for HIV.

[BenjaminV]

In the above case, there is no risk of HIV infection, but can we get genital warts (HPV) or syphilis, doctor?

[auntiejessi]

This is the HIV forum, so I'll be brief -

No. Doctors don't reuse these swabs. They send them to labs to test. The labs actually perform the tests on the swabs in most cases, or use them to smear samples on slides in the lab.

They are then disposed of as medical waste, not reused.

[GuitarRox]

This wouldn't be a risk for HIV transmission. The only risks for HIV transmission are from having unprotected vaginal or anal sex or sharing IV needles to inject drugs. Air inactivates the virus. Sharing a cotton ball? No risk. This poses no chance of getting hiv from it.

[BenjaminV]

I would like to correct that I took male urethral fluid

[AnxiousNoMore]

Next time you go to a clinic or doctor tell them up front that you are afraid they will give you a disease. Then they can explain that they don't - and you won't have to come here after you have lived in fear over nothing.

[BenjaminV]

I know it's baseless speculation, I always respect doctors, but in my country there are private clinics set up by Chinese owners that paint all sorts of diseases to scare patients and not yet treated with a very large amount of money, although when examined again at major hospitals, there is no disease. Usually people who come to the clinic are introduced to advertising through social networks and only dare to come once and I am also one of them, so I am very confused.