I've read before on here and other forums that living with someone infected with a bloodborne disease such as HIV/Hep B/Hep C/HTLV or Syphillis, and sharing razors/toothbrush/towels/bedsheets and other household objects would not be a risk to be concerned about, over a relatively short period (several months). And also that this would apply to any other STDs. I got a lot of comfort from that - I was in a position where one of my housemates was from a high-risk country and a drug user, and on a number of occasions she shared my toothbrush/razors/towels. Also she gave me a non-sexual massage one time. We were not sexually involved however.

I was anxiously googling the other day and came across this article - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925012/pdf/2046-4053-3-11.pdf  It's actually about HSV8, but what worried me was they specifically mention hemophilia as a risk factor for HIV/bloodborne. I don't have hemophilia but suffer from another blood clotting disorder (like Von Willebrand). So can I ask:

1. Do I have to worry about this? Or am I fine to assume this doesn't change your previous advice I've read on this forum and Medhelp that having a clotting disorder (like Von Willebrand and other clotting disorders) would not materially increase the risk of contracting bloodborne (HIV/Hep B/Hep C/HTLV or Syphillis) from sharing razors/towels/toothbrush/bedding/other household objects over a roughly 3 month period? Or having a non-sexual massage?

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'll try to help.  Google and the internet in general is not your friend here- rather it is misleading you.  Hemophilia is a risk factor for HHV-8, like HIV WAS associated with these conditions because these are blood borne infections which were transmitted to persons with hemophilia through blood transfusion.  Thus it is not the clotting disorder which used to put hemophiliacs for HIV (or HHV-8) but the increased frequency of blood transfusions and blood factors which these persons receive.  In the U.S. blood and blood products have been screened for HIV for over 30 years and the blood supply is safe.   This the answers to your questions are:

1.  No change in our advice or recommendations. This is just not something to worry about.

2.  Correct, no risk for other blood borne STIs either.  You'll be fine.

Hope this helps.  Take care.  EWH

Whilst on the subject of HSV8, would you know if this is a risk for me?

I think you are worrying entirely too much.  The infections we are discussing are SEXUALLY transmitted.  Non-sexual transmission is extraordinarily rare and not something to worry about.  Clotting disorders, steroid medications, etc. do not change this.  Thus:

1.  See my comment above.  Similarly, worrying about a roommate has no basis in fact and is not a concern unless you are having sex with that person.

2.  No

3.  No

EWH

Sorry for the follow-up but I had a couple more questions:

1. I was searching through this site the other day and came across your previous mention of fish foot spas, this is something I did on 3 occasions when travelling abroad previously. I won’t be using them again, but wanted to ask:

So just wanted to make that clear before you answer the above questions. Many thanks again

1. I was searching through this site the other day and came across your previous mention of fish foot spas, this is something I did on 3 occasions when travelling in Asia/Africa previously. I won’t be using them again, but wanted to ask:

Your repetitive anxiety-driven questions do not change my answers.  As per Forum guidelines, this will be my final response to your questions and further, repetitive posts may not be answered without a refund of your posting fee.  You really need to rela and stop this unwarranted worrying.

1.  If you read the footbath post fully, you would see that it is a no risk event, no matter where it occurs.  Repeating the question does not change the answer.

1a.  See above

1b.  See above, no risk

1c.  Same answer, no risk.

2.  Correct, no risk

3.  yes

This thread will be closed later today with no further responses.  EWH

Thank you so much again