My exposure was a couple years ago when I was working in a hotel collecting sheets and towels from rooms. In one particular room I cut my finger on a boxspring and didn't realize it at first. The cut was along the nail and was like a large hangnail where it pulls back the skin a bit. I didn't think it drew blood so I started collecting the sheets from the bed and noticed after I was done that my finger had started bleeding. I then went and cleaned it up and put a band-aid on, however I had already touched the sheets with my finger bleeding. I don't remember seeing anything on the sheets. That same day I continued to collect sheets and towels from rooms and did not notice until a couple hours later that I also had a dry skin crack between two of my fingers on the knuckle that was not bleeding but was kind of an open sore/cut.

My question is: With the bleeding cut on my finger and the open sore between the knuckles, could I have contracted HIV if there was blood or semen on any of the sheets or towels I was picking up? All of the sheets I was picking up were from rooms where no one was there for at least a few minutes before I got there so there would not have been anything very fresh on the sheets or towels. From reading questions on this site and others I know there is no way to say this is completely impossible, but would you recommend testing? I am married and I don't want to possibly infect my wife if I am HIV positive. I have told her about this and she is unconcerned as she does not have OCD like me. I also really do not want to go down the testing rabbit-hole that I have in the past because I know myself well enough to know that one negative test will not end this worry in my mind. Thank you again 

I also very much appreciate your acknowledgment of your own struggle with OCD.  I also appreciate your concern for your wife’s health.  In reading your question I note that the episode you described occurred several years ago and that you mentioned prior testing for HIV. Have you been tested for HIV in the interval since the event you describe occurred?

Irrespective of whether you were tested for HIV or not, the event that you described was an absolutely no risk event.  First, let me point out to you that you do not know that any of the sheets or bedding which you touched were contaminated with HIV. Most people do not have HIV so the odds are in your favor.  Furthermore, even if someone with HIV had used the bedding before you picked it up, you do not know that they contaminated the bedding and that the portion you touched was contaminated.  Also, HIV would have died quickly upon exposure to the air.  Finally, and most importantly, there are no instances when a person has acquired HIV due to transfer of the virus on inanimate objects such as bed springs, dirty sheets or towels, counters, or toilet seats.  Not a single one.  The fact that you had a cut on your finger and a crack on your skin in no way changes the facts mentioned above. This was a no risk event. There is no need for concern and certainly no medical or scientific reason for testing. 

I hope the information I have provided has been helpful. As you know we provide up to three responses to each clients questions. This is my final response and this thread will be closed shortly without further responses. Please take care and stay safe. There is no reason for further testing related to any of the events or activities we have spoken about. EWH