Expert: Terry B - 3/16/2009

Question
Hi.

Fantastic service you offer here Terry. Many thanks!

A couple of weeks ago I used a urinal in a general hospital (I recently broke my ankle).
I noticed that there was a smear of wet blood (about the side of laurel leaf) on the right hand side of the urnial at about the height of my wrist. I continued anyway.
As I was urniating, the automatic flush went off and the blood began to be washed away. During the flush I was subject to the usual splash back - a few drops on my hand and on the head of my penis (I pull back the foreskin when urinating).
Given that the blood was washed away by the flush it must have been fresh.
I didn't notice the splashes being especially bloody or, but I am worried.

After the incident I washed my hands and wiped the head of my penis with a tissue.

How much sleep should I be losing on this (it was about 1 hour last night)?

Ben

Answer
Dear Ben:

Peace.  While I am not an expert in plumbing, I would bet that the amount of water used significantly diluted any blood; it's also unclear if the splash was blood-tinged; but in the absence of sores or open wounds on your penis, I would have to look at the amount, the duration of the exposure, the probable concentration of virus in the water/possible blood mixture... and conclude your risk is improbable for HIV transmission.  I just don't see the right combination of factors to create any HIV risk.

I hope that helps a bit, if there are variables there I haven't considered, please let me know.  Otherwise, sleep well.   

Best to you and yours,

Terry