Sniffing cocaine

[nightfly667766]

Dear Doctor, I'm writing from Italy and I already wrote to this forum last year for another HIV related concern. This time I'm freaking out for a new reason, still related to HIV fears. I'm anxious and I can't live with my sense of guilt. For the first and last time in my life I sniffed some cocaine with a friend, using a rolled banknote. I sniffed just a little amount of drug, several minutes after my friend. Didn't notice any stain of blood on the bill (it should be noticeable, I suppose...) and I have no reasons to think my friend has HIV or HCV (he's not a promiscuous guy but quite a frequent cocaine user). I'm a family guy and I hope I didn't expose myself, my wife and my daughter to any risk. Should I forget it and move on? Thanks a lot for your help.

[nightfly667766]

Thank you so much. Time to relax now.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Don't let the differences in our verbal styles fuel your anxiety.  There is no appreciable difference in my reply and Dr. Handsfield's  Relax.  EWH

[nightfly667766]

Dear Doctor, just one last message, cause I read this on this forum: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HIV-Snorting-cocaine-HIv-Outside-the-body/show/246488 It seems Dr. Handsfield considered this kind of episodes zero risk, but the message is old. Did something change in the last 9 years to tell now "very low risk"? As I told you, I wont ask you anything else, just a clarification about this message. Thanks again for your patience.

[nightfly667766]

Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate that.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You do not need to test.  I suggest you move forward and not worry about the events you describe.   EWH

[nightfly667766]

Thanks a lot, Doctor. Honestly, everytime I read "very low risk" I always get worried, but if you tell me I don't need any test and I can move forward, I'll keep your advice. Again, thanks for your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'll be pleased to comment. the event you describe was very low risk, both because it is unlikely that your friend has HIV and because the single event you describe is primarily a theoretical concern for HIV.  The reports of HIV transmission through shared devices for snorting cocaine come from situations in which the things used for snorting were used repeatedly and were obviously contaminated with blood,  Even in these situations, while not precisely quantified, the risk for infection appears to be quite low.

My advice you is to not worry about this event and to move forward.  I see no reason for testing related to the situation you describe.  EWH