Anxiety is so bad in case of HIV risk feeling upset and guilty

[Stuckinanxiety]

I know it's my anxiety talking bollocks in my head. My friend has HIV, I'm reasonably well informed on it, I don't usually think about it when we're spending time together.

However we were at a party last night and she got very drunk and wet herself and vomited. I helped her get sorted out and get changed and definitely came into contact with the bodily fluids slightly.

I was fairly drunk but ok myself, but I think it's the alcohol making me feel so anxious in case I'm at risk now of getting it? I feel so guilty for even thinking this way, like I'm letting my friend down or something, but I'm so anxious I'm considering taking PEP (the pill you can take if you've been exposed to the virus).

Need a reality check. This is anxiety isn't it?

Unless you had any open wounds on your you will be fine. Have you considered getting help for your anxiety? Your GP will listen.

Right, well you can't be that informed of it if you are this worried. definitely the anxiety.
Unless you soaked a bloody wound in her bodily fluids you will not be at risk.

Yes it is anxiety.
You know that vomit and urine is not hiw it is transmitted.

It is anxiety, yes

Anxiety seems to win over logic in my mind today, I know the facts but still feel anxious. I used to take a medication for anxiety, but have not felt really awful with it for a long time.

It's actually quite difficult to contract HIV. Particularly from bodily fluids outside the body. And vomit and urine, unless bloody, aren't the way.

From what I understand unless there is blood in the vomit there is no risk, however I am not medically trained and may be completely wrong. I would ring 111 and ask their advice as I do know that the drug is most effective is taken within the first 24 hours so you don't want to be waiting until after the bank holiday to find out

even if you had a gaping wound the chances of you picking this up are slim to none. HIV does not survive for long outside the body. Thats why it is usually passed on via sexual contact, sharing needles immediately after someone else or actual blood transfusion.
The virus very quickly dies when it is not at body temperature. Also the virus is not spread through vomit or urine.

My mind is doing awful gymnastics with it. I have a scratch on my hand.

Definitely anxiety. HIV isn’t transmitted through vomit and urine.

And seeing as you know her status, that means she does too, and I assume is receiving treatment? Anti retro viral drugs nowadays usually mean her viral load will be so low it’s impossible for her to transmit the virus anyway.

Unless you had open wounds and was dealing with blood you will be fine.

I have no idea if you're overreacting, but I think you're a great friend not many people wipe up vomit uncomplainingly. I suggest you ring the Terrence Higgins Trust, they are an HIV charity with a free helpline and they will give you accurate info and advice. 0800 802 1221
I would guess that you're not at risk though. Hope that that's the case.

I agree, if you’re that worried then call 111. Maybe a phone chat with a gp might help to ease your anxiety about this

and also if she is actually being treated for it and on the drugs then that lessens the viral load so even if you actually had sex with her the chances of getting it would be quite low.... so all in all I think you will not have gotten it from simply touching a bit of her vomit or urine!

I agree, if you’re that worried then call 111. Maybe a phone chat with a gp might help to ease your anxiety about this

Would nt it be better to call the help line linked up thread instead of tying up a GP?

Yes and please never tell you friend.

I had Hep C for a long time and had treatment to get rid of it and felt like a social leper.

Sorry OP the helpline is 10am and 8pm from Monday to Friday. Here's their website. www.tht.org.uk/

I saw something on the news recently about how far HIV treatments have come since the 80’s, that it can be almost completely suppressed and people successfully can have children etc without passing it on, and that life expectancy is much much longer with appropriate treatment. Really interesting and informative and should be more public information about it would prevent the anxious situation you have found yourself in, I think it is impossible you could have contracted it from your friend in this way.

If your friend is on effective treatment she is not infectious (look up u=u or undetectable= untransmittable)

Even if she is not on treatment, hiv is not in saliva or vomit or urine but blood and genital fluids. Even if there was blood, the virus would need a way into your body (ie an open wound)

I really don't think you're at risk, but if you are concerned and need further reassurance then I think you would need to go to a&e. Or check out Terrance Higgins trust or nhs websites. If post exposure prophylaxis is needed (and I really don't think it is for you but in case anyone else needs info!) Then it needs to be started as soon as possible and within 72 hours of the exposure.

Dohhh - between 10 am and 8pm.

Yeah I know she's doing very well with treatment and is undetectable. She's had a hard time lately and drinking too much to cope and I don't know if she's still taking the medication properly. Which is obviously not good for her, I'm a little worried about her in general, which is a separate thing.

I can't shake this anxiety, it really is awful.

It's anxiety and you know it, it's still a terrible terrible feeling though. Is there anything you can do to take your mind off it while you ride the anxiety out?

It is unbelievably unlikely OP - you would need open wounds to have come into extensive contact with your friend's bodily fluids. And if she is taking drugs for her it her viral load will be very low or nonexistent which means transmission couldn't occur.

Pay for a HIV test if you’re anxious. You get the results back in a week.