*URGENT!* HIV/AIDS? HELP!

[wwtbamfan]

So today (March 22, 2012), at about 12:30 PM, during recess, my friends and I were playing volleyball at the schoolyard. My friend had scratched his elbow when he fell onto the ground made of cement. Some blood was coming out, but he said he was okay. A few minutes later, I had went next to him to tell him a plan on where to aim for the next serve, but apparently, I had went too close to him and I had gotten a stain of blood from his scratch on my sweater. I tried to use my saliva to wipe off the blood stain, so this is what I did: I took my middle finger from my right hand, licked it, and wiped the stain off my sweater. Some of the stain came off, but the blood stain was not completely off, so I accidentally used the same finger (middle finger on the right hand) to lick it again and to wipe the rest of the stain off. The scratch on my friend's elbow wasn't very big, about 2 centimeters in diameter I would guess. I then asked my friend if he was sick, and he said no. Afterwards, I had asked my friend if he had HIV/AIDS and he said no, but when I asked him if he took an HIV test, he said he hadn't. What should I do now? I had taken a blood test two months ago, but this incident happened today (March 22, 2012). Any help would be great. Thanks!

[kplewisvox]

I'd suggest talking to your teacher or your parents to see if any concern is needed.

[millionairefan28]

Boy I haven't had recess since I was in 8th grade... I was 14. Anyway, I'm not good with medical stuff. It's very possible that he could have HIV/AIDS just as much as the next guy. I had just talked to my sister about this situation and she tells me that it's not good to mix two blood types. Now I assume you don't know his blood type, probably not even your's. Heck, I don't know mine. Luckily it wasn't a situation of mixing open wounds (like blood from his cut going into an open wound you have), but I'd play safe on this one and see a professional doctor regardless. There's no hurt in seeing someone... maybe except the co-pay

But, I don't know what they're going to tell you. I don't know what anyone would tell you, because I'm not really good with medical situations. It seems like nothing to worry about considering it's only a small stain and you took in an incredibly small portion of blood, from what I can tell. But, always play it safe... there are certain cases where it wouldn't be harmful, but with the mixing blood types thing, and potentially getting diseases, even from a small portion, maybe not that small, of blood could be harmful, yeah... go see someone.

Although I would like to hear what our other forum members have to say on this situation, I'm not good with this stuff, but that's what I got. Hopefully it's nothing to worry over and you'll be ok ;D

[boogyman10o1]

I do not think there is a need for concern. If your friend has HIV/AIDS he would not be at your school in the first place. The possibility of you getting AIDS/HIV is very low especially when the kids with AIDS/HIV are kept together so they do not spread it. Thanks to a documentary from Discovery. However it is good that you are concerned for your health.

Edit: I reserched about AIDS/HIV and sure enough, it can come from transfusions of the wong blood type, however I have been in that same situation and I am fine to this day. The blood from your friend would have to be already infected for you to get HIV. Blood transfusions means a alot of blood being transfered. You would already sick already if it was a good amount, say 3 oz. +/-.

[kplewisvox]

Mar 22, 2012 20:44:05 GMT -5 boogyman10o1 said:

The possibility of you getting AIDS/HIV is very low especially when the kids with AIDS/HIV are kept together so they do not spread it.

Begging your pardon. If kids with HIV/AIDS are quarantined, it's not to stop them from spreading it. It's not spread like the common cold. If they're quarantined, it's to protect themselves from disease due to their compromised immune systems. Just want to make that perfectly clear.

[wwtbamfan]

I thought that a child could go to school if they had HIV/AIDS because it is not spreadable by touching or talking? I live in New York City (USA), so can somebody please help me find out of a kid with HIV/AIDS to go school in New York City? I had asked my friend if he had HIV/AIDS and he said no, but when I asked him if he took an HIV test, he said he hadn't.

[RegisFan]

Keep in mind that I am not a doctor or even remotely an expert on this subject, but here are my two cents.

I do not think there is cause for alarm. I can see where this kind of situation could make you nervous, but I think the chances of you getting HIV/AIDS from your friend are slim. Since you don't even know if your friend has HIV/AIDS, you are probably panicking for nothing. I do believe that he would be allowed to attend school even if he did have an STD, but unless you have reason to believe he has HIV/AIDS you're probably getting worked up over nothing. Also, I don't think you're likely to get an STD from the manner you described. You're much more likely to get any sort of common infection, especially a virus such as the common cold, from licking your finger on a playground. If it makes you feel any better, your saliva is designed to kill most viruses and bacteria that it comes into contact with anyway.

Keep in mind that STDs are almost always transmitted as their name implies - sexually. While it is possible to get infected from a blood transfusion, what you did isn't even remotely the same as a full-on transfusion, and I honestly don't think that your actions put you at any risk.

That being said, you should consult your parents. If you are genuinely concerned, they will know what to do. You can always see a doctor and get tested if you and your parents feel it is necessary.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I moved this thread from "Millionaire General Discussion" to "General Discussion" as a matter of housekeeping.

[Deleted]

When I first read the topic headline, I thought that you knew someone who was dying of HIV/AIDS and that you needed support. And after fully reading and thinking about your story here, I'm going to agree with Regisfan on this. Also, any student who has HIV/AIDS, and is not allowed to be in a school is illegal and a discriminatory offense.

[wwtbamfan]

Divvy, so you are technically saying that kids with HIV/AIDS are allowed to go to school, correct? Thanks!

Ohh, by the way, thanks for moving my thread from "Millionaire General Discussion" to "General Discussion". I was kind of panicky. Sorry!

[Deleted]

Yes, persons who have HIV/AIDS have every to an education just as much as the next person. You shouldn't have anything to worry about if the other person was HIV negative.

[wwtbamfan]

(Divvy) But, I had asked my friend if he had HIV/AIDS and he said no, but when I asked him if he took an HIV test, he said he hadn't. I talked to my parents about this incident and they said they think it would be unnecessary to take an HIV test, considering the slim chance of me getting HIV because of the small amount of blood that I may have gotten in contact with, but I am still somewhat scared. What should I do now? Thanks!

(Regisfan) I hope I am not rude in saying this, but Regisfan, I was actually next to my friend to tell him a plan on where to aim for the next serve, but apparently, I had went too close to him and I had gotten a stain of blood from his scratch on my sweater. He had fallen onto the ground made of cement before. I tried to use my saliva to wipe off the blood stain, so this is what I did: I took my middle finger from my right hand, licked it, and wiped the stain off my sweater. Some of the stain came off, but the blood stain was not completely off, so I accidentally used the same finger (middle finger on the right hand) to lick it again and to wipe the rest of the stain off. What do you think my chances of getting HIV are now? What should I do now? Thanks!

[RegisFan]

I think that your chances of getting HIV are slim to none. I understand your concern, but I'm with your parents on this one. Based on what you've shared, there's little evidence to me that you're in any danger. Just because your friend wasn't tested for HIV doesn't mean that he has it or that you have any reason to believe that he has it. If you knew that your friend was HIV positive, then I'd say you might want to consider getting tested just for piece of mind. But based on the fact that there's zero evidence that your friend has HIV and that the manner you came into contact with his blood isn't overly conducive to the spreading of HIV, I'd say that you have nothing to worry about. I don't think there is any course of action that you need to take. Trust in your parents' wisdom and try not to be too concerned.

[wwtbamfan]

Thanks! I do have one other question. Will kids with HIV/AIDS be separated into groups like Special Education, or something like that to prevent transmittion of the HIV virus in New York City? Thanks again!

[leimeisei]

Not a doctor but I've done custodian type work before before so I know my way around bloodborne pathogens.

1. Just to clear this up, kids with HIV/AIDS ARE NOT restricted from going to a normal school. They would be in the general school population just like every other child. In fact, HIPPA legislation provides very strict rules around the confidentiality of health records, including tests which would confirm the presence of HIV, and the schools probably would not have access to such records.

2. Consider the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans is HIV Negative. Even if your friend was HIV Positive, the chances of you contracting HIV from another human orally, via the very minute amount of blood that you probably had on your finger due to touching his scab, is slim to none. Compound these two sets of odds, and the result is that there are incredibly slim to almost none that you have contracted HIV from this incident.

HIV is not a pandemic by any means. It is not airborne and the virus is transmitted for the most part through blood, it is not present in saliva or sweat. Most HIV infections are transmitted sexually. For the cases that are not transmitted sexually, they most often are transmitted by means of an accidental puncture, usually with a needle. For example, if a tattoo parlor doesn't properly wash equipment between uses and the bacteria gets on it from one person and is injected via a needle into another. Another scenario is when one syringe is shared among multiple individuals for the administration of intravenous drugs such as heroin.

In conclusion... if you have any concerns, ask a doctor, but you should have nothing to worry about.

[wwtbamfan]

Thanks for your very detailed information! I'll post another reply if I have another question. Thanks again!