Dr. Hook,

Thank you for your responses. You set my mind SO MUCH at ease. I did have one nagging question remain based on your reply on mutual masturbation.

I pointed out I saw some stains on my sheets, both white and dark [the dark stains may have been blood]. I worried these may be stains from secretions from the HIV+ man and potentially HIV+ man who were at my house this past weekend. I stated that I masturbate when I can’t spend time with my girlfriend and that my masturbation includes both rubbing my penis and inserting my fingers into my anus. You stated that any risk I may have been at via masturbation in my stained sheets would have been as low if not lower than mutual masturbation. I replied that I was concerned that blood may have been a higher risk. You told me blood has about the same levels of HIV virus as semen or vaginal fluids and so blood would be a similar risk level. Since mutual masturbation is zero risk, semen and/or blood on my sheets would also be zero risk even if I were to get it on my hands and then on my penis or into the hole of my penis, or onto my hands and then into my anus when I insert my fingers into my anus or into my mouth, eyes, nose, or any other route.

What I’m looking for clarification on is if mutual masturbation includes the possibility of getting semen into my penis hole or my anus or any other route [eyes, mouth, nose]. When you say that mutual masturbation is zero risk, do you mean that it is zero risk even though semen probably frequently gets into someone’s penis hole or anus during mutual masturbation? Does mutual masturbation include anal fingering, in which HIV+ genital secretions may get into someone’s anus [someone who does not have HIV]? And, as I mentioned before, can you confidently assure me that even though mutual masturbation usually involves semen and/or vaginal secretions and not blood, that my risk, if the dark stains were blood stains on my bed, is negligible?

Finally, I do not recall these stains being wet, but if they were, is this still no risk for me?

I’m sorry I am having these nagging questions. As I previously mentioned, I am not used to being around HIV+ individuals and so I’ve been feeling very on edge. Thanks.

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Dr. Hook
Let me start by pointing out that this situation has really thrown me for a loop and a friend told me he thought i was experiencing anxiety and that I should see a psychologist. I've scheduled an appointment. In the meantime, I'm quite nervous and I feel like this might be the anxiety but I wanted your feedback

I had a medical exam today which included some blood work. My exam is at an Allina clinic I've been going to for about half a year. During the blood work, the woman drawing my blood dropped something onto the floor next to the chair I was sitting in to have my blood drawn. I'm not sure if it was the label for my blood draw tubes, the tubes themselves, the blood draw needle, or what.  I think she dropped whatever she dropped after she'd already taken blood but I can't remember. My concern is what if there was blood on the floor which either got on the blood draw needle before she inserted it into my arm, or got blood on her hands which then got onto the puncture site of my blood draw as she was applying a bandage to it.

Part of my mind is telling me this is my anxiety and my mind racing. I'm thinking it would be unlikely there was blood on the ground, that even if there was it was unlikely HIV blood, and even if it was, it would likely be non-infectious because of exposure to air and the environment.  It's also unlikely she would have dropped a needle and used it after dropping it and my memory is probably right that she dropped whatever she dropped after drawing my blood.

I'm scared to pull off the bandage on my and deterred because I'm worried I'll see blood on the bandage which will cause me more fear. It's typical for there to be a little of my own blood on a cotton swab after a blood draw, right? Finally, at the water fountain at the clinic I saw some liquid, some dried, some pooling in the center. I believe it was coffee but I am worried if it it was blood it got on me, especially on a bleeding hangnail I had. Is this a concern?

And Dr. Hook,

One more question: I'm scheduled to get a massage today [recommended by a friend to soothe my anxiety] but now I'm worried I may be at risk from massage because I have small cuts on my body and asome pimples on my arms and shoulders which sometimes pop and bleed//pus. I would love to get my massage to relax but want to make sure this is no risk even with cuts on my hands and legs and pimples. Please advise. Thanks

I'm sorry to bother Doctor. As you can tell I'm very anxious now. I see my Psychologist tomorrow. That said, today at work I had contact with a man who told me he gave himself coffee enemas and I was freaked out perhaps I got his anal secretions on me. Is this a risk? I didnt see obvious secretions, I feel foolish but also very scared. Thanks for all your advice and assistance. I read that the thread will close after my follow up questions. I understand. Thanks for your help.

I agree with your friend.  Your experiences related to knowing that you had persons with HIV in your home setting appear to have set off a cascade of anxieties which are feeding on themselves and causing you to worry unnecessarily about HIV.  Talking with a therapist about this is just the right thing to do.  I'm glad you are doing this.---

Thanks Dr. Hook.

I previously wrote: "My concern is what if there was blood on the floor which either got on the blood draw needle before she inserted it into my arm, or got blood on her hands which then got onto the puncture site of my blood draw as she was applying a bandage to it."

You mentioned whatever was dropped on the floor almost certainly occured after and I believe this is what I remember. However, IF it had been dropped on the floor before, do you suspect that this would still be no risk and not a reason to test?

Thanks and I understand my thread will be closed. I look forward to seeing my psychologist.

And also, one last thing, you're fairly confident a blood draw worker would never drop a needle than use it? This woman was 50+ and likely had a lot of experience blood drawing.

Oh sorry, one more clarification:

I wrote: "You mentioned whatever was dropped on the floor almost certainly occured after and I believe this is what I remember. However, IF it had been dropped on the floor before, do you suspect that this would still be no risk and not a reason to test?"

What I meant was "You mentioned whatever was dropped on the floor almost certainly occured after MY BLOOD HAD BEEN DRAWN and I believe this is what I remember. However, IF it had been dropped on the floor before, do you suspect that this would still be no risk and not a reason to test?"

Thanks much

And just to be clear: you don't recommend testing for anything Ive mentioned to you. Thanks again so much

I'm sorry Doc, I think your right that my mind really is racing. It's very strange and I don't know what happening.

My biggest concern is like a mentioned before and i was hoping you could provide validation to my suspicions that EVEN IF when my worker picked up whatever fell on the floor, it is very unlikely there was blood on the floor, unlikely it would be HIV blood, and even if it was, it would likely be non-infectious because of exposure to air and room, all culminating in a no risk event that does not warrant testing, concern, or abstaining from sex with my girlfriend.

This is my last question. Thanks.

My comments are being provided out of concern for you and your mental health.  FIVE posts I less than an hour.  You need to get hold of yourself.  Seeing a mental health professional is a good first step.  I suggest you print out your last two threads on our site and share them with the psychologist you will be seeing.  ---