What can you catch from dried blood?

[Igglepiggle3]

Hello suffer from EXTREME anxiety which will explain this thread and many would have already seen from my previous posts... I know I am going to get slated for this thread but my head is in overdrive...

Today I had a piece of furniture delivered - around 8am. It was left in its wrapping in a room where the window was open.

About 11ish I started unwrapping it - I saw a small spot of what looked like blood... I thought I should wipe it with it off but I was in a rush and thought just to remember it was there.
I pulled the cellophane off and moved the item into position.
I went to get a black sack to put the rubbish in and I have an awful habit of chewing my finger which I recall doing.
I put the rubbish in the sack and in the bin.
I ha e since been thinking what if I touched the red mark and then put my fingers in my mouth? Could you catch anything from this?
My main concern is I’m still breastfeeding and I feel sick thinking about it.
I know I am being totally unreasonable and maybe I just need someone to tell me this it is theee any risk?

From a tiny amount of possible (but not definite) dried blood such as you've described? Nothing. Any viruses in it wouldn't be present in sufficient amounts to cause my problems, have been exposed to the air and various temperature changes long enough to kill them, and from the sounds of it haven't made contact with unbroken skin.

It's more likely paint, pen, or some sort of food.

OP, I queried your anxiety before and I’ll query it again. Are you seeking any help at all? Because the way you catastrophise and panic about things is really going to start impacting your children. I have health anxiety. I know that feeling well. But you need to get this sorted, for your own sake as well as that of your family.

I'm not sure you being told there is no risk will help you. It sounds like you need professional help to get over your fears.

@FoxyTheFox

From a tiny amount of possible (but not definite) dried blood such as you've described? Nothing. Any viruses in it wouldn't be present in sufficient amounts to cause my problems, have been exposed to the air and various temperature changes long enough to kill them, and from the sounds of it haven't made contact with unbroken skin.

It's more likely paint, pen, or some sort of food.

This, completely.

If it’s dried the risk is minuscule as it’s clearly been there for a while. It sounds like you didn’t even touch it and you also don’t even know it’s blood - could be anything red such as rust or paint.
HIV dies within minutes on surfaces, as do virtually all over viruses.
I really would not worry at all

Please seek professional help for your anxiety if you haven’t already. There is also a great book called overcoming health anxiety which I can recommend. You don’t need to live like this but you have to take responsibility to change things. Asking for reassurance is playing into the cycle of your anxiety.

You’ll be fine, as @FoxyTheFox has said - but if you haven’t already, please do seek help for the anxiety. Honestly, the world is a different place without it.

Have you spoken to a doctor about your anxiety (haven't seen your other threads)? I only ask, because I have a friend with OCD and this is exactly the kind of thing that would send her into a tailspin. If she even sees dried blood, she becomes convinced that she must have touched it - even if she definitely didn't. Once that thought is there, it takes over everything.

Hi OP, how are you feeling generally? Do you get quite anxious and over think?

I would take care of your health mentally - it’s quite a leap to make from a drop of blood.

A tiny spot of (possible) dried blood? On an un-wounded finger? Absolutely nothing.
Please seek help for your anxiety if you are not already. Life must be so hard if you worry to this extent.

OP, you are showing symptoms of OCD and asking for, and receiving reassurance in this way is the worst possible thing for you and will make your anxiety worse long term. You need to see a professional.

You'll be fine, OP.
Can I just say that I suffer with terrible anxiety and OCD. Do you think that's what might be going on? Do you have any other intrusive thoughts?

So sorry that you're feeling so rubbish.

Thank you all for your comments. Deep down I know I’m being irrational. I have no cuts on my hand but I was more scared input my finger in mouth. I don’t even know I touched it! I ah e been in tears just winding myself up thinking about it.

I know I need help. I really do. If it’s not one thing it’s another. I could give you a long list of topics. I was considering stopping breastfeeding today as I was scared I would pass on a virus to my child!
I have always been a worrier but since becoming a mum it’s escalated. I broke down at my child’s 12 month developmental review and they said they would refer me for some support but it never happened. I just worry about my child and want to protect as much as possible. @WhateverHappenedToFayWray yes I have had intrusive thoughts - I did t know what they were until I asked a question once.
@RonObvious I feel exactly like you friend at the moment.

Have you spoken to your GP? If you haven't, I would make an appointment and say that you're suffering from obsessive/intrusive thoughts and it is impacting your day to day life, then ask to be referred to someone who specialises in OCD.

Good luck

I used to be as bad as you, possibly worse. Got to proper germ obsession and fear of touching stuff with all the what ifs and maybes and are you sures. Then my husband left me because of it. Overnight cure, having something terrible actually happen as opposed to imagined risks that something bad might happen from not washing my hands properly after touching something unlikely to be really a danger. The devastation somehow broke me out of that way of thinking. He came back fortunately.

Not saying that's your fate but you really do need help. I remember those days and it was such a waste of years of my and our lives. It's no life my friend, it's exhausting to be that constantly on alert for these dangers for a start but eventually the endless stress will start to cause physical harm, more physical harm than the currently perceived risks you're badly worrying yourself with.

Again, please seek help.

I read somewhere years ago that quite often a new relationship or birth of a child can send this problem into overdrive. Something to do with a malfunction, an overreaction if you will, in the urge to nest and protect that becomes pretty much all consuming. I was never like it before I got with my husband, I do know that. Once he left I had no nest, nothing to protect. I didn't care about losing it any longer because I already lost it. It did teach me that you can only protect your little world up to a point and ultimately tying too hard to keep everything safe and perfect is more damaging than the threats you are trying to gauge against.

This is just my own experience, I don't claim to be an expert in bugger all.

I'm sorry, that's not really helpful but it might be something to consider.

Please phone your GP. Explain what you have said on this thread - you don’t have to carry on living like this, but you will unless you take steps to change it. If you had symptoms of a physical illness you’d treat it, mental illness is the same.

Thankyou for sharing your story @MyPantsAreInsideOut I can certainly relate. My husband is so laid back. I’m the opposite - uptight and I have already noticed over the years he has changed his behaviours to fit in with my OCDs (just general things around the house). It makes me quite sad to think about that actually.

Ultimately I want to protect my child but I know I over think scenarios till they become ridiculous.
Even though I know today it may. It have been blood, even if it was it was probably dry, even then would the person have HIV or anything? And then did I even touch it! It’s sounds so stupid - yet I still worry!

@Igglepiggle3 you can self-refer for talking therapies now. Google your NHS trust’s community page. You don’t even have to speak to anyone, just fill out an online form and they call you back for an assessment. You don’t need to live like this.