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Question:
I’m afraid that I might be infected by hiv based on this incident.
Back on February 7, 2002 (Thursday), I had a big clot of blood (quite big) right in the middle of the roof of my mouth. The clot of the blood popped on that afternoon. The same spot remained red for until February 15. So I’m assuming that there is an open sore. However on February 12, I ate some potato chips which contain some of my co-worker’s saliva. He is somewhat sexually active. So I have to assume he is hiv infected.
Now exactly one month later, I felt some pain on my left shoulder joint, left knee joint, the bottom bone on my right arm (if I squeeze it lightly). I also had pain on my right thigh (I just noticed that there is a brown spot now) after waking up on this past Sunday. If I press on the spot lightly, I can feel the pain. All of the pain occurs since this past Sunday.
Can I be infected with hiv? If so, then my mom might be infected too. I thank you for replying to me. I have been going nuts and lost some sleeps. Thank you doctor. Your response is greatly appreciated.
Tom
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Answer:
by Georgan Gregg: ()
Tom, if this is your only risk you can stop worrying. What you are describing is known as “casual contact” & there is no risk of infection with HIV, even if your coworker is infected. HIV can only be transmitted by blood, semen or vaginal fluids from an infected person getting into the body of another person.
The aches, pains & skin discoloration can’t be used to tell you anything about infection with HIV because it can be as long as 10 years before symptoms appear. The only way to be sure is to have a blood test that looks for your body’s antibodies to HIV. Again, there was no risk in the incident you described, so unless you have had unsafe sex or shared injecting drug needles there’d be no need to test. If your only concern for your mom is that she shared food with you, you can stop worrying. Sex that involves penetration (oral, vaginal &/or anal) & drugs that share needles are the main ways this virus gets around. Scientists have studied households with HIV-positive people & there’s been nothing at all to say eating with or hugging or other “casual contact” activities have any risk of infection whatsoever.
Contact us again if you have more questions. Or phone the National AIDS Hotline at 800-342-AIDS (2437) anytime for free, anonymous information answered by a trained information specialist.Reviewed by: Patricia Fawver Ph.D. in Sexology
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