Expert: Terry B - 3/21/2009

Question
Hi Terry!

First of all, many thanks for taking time to answer my question. I really appreciate it.

I have been having this irrational, almost incredulous fear of acquiring HIV. The other day I was travelling on a public bus. As I scour for a place to seat, I saw this really suspicious looking guy seating in the corner of the last row. He was throwing really sinister glances at me. Nevertheless, I didnt give this much thought and sat on the seat just in front of him, with my back facing him.

He was making weird noises and shifted in his seats a couple of times. Suddenly I felt really uncomfortable. I start to remember his sinister glance and his suspicious looking face and posture. I really wanted to turn around and see what he was up to but that would be really awkward, so I ignored my suspicion.

Then later on I fell asleep despite my best efforts not to. Later I woke up and felt really angry with myself for falling asleep. I checked my handphone [I placed it beside me] and there was these few specks of brownish sand-like particles on the screen.

I've been worrying for the past few days. My worries are

- Could the guy have, whilst I was asleep, injected me with the HIV virus via a needle syringe without my knowing it? For example, whilst I was deep in slumber, could he have surreptitiously and silently inserted a needle with a syringe full of his HIV-infected blood, inject the blood into my body and transmit the HIV virus to me, either through the injected fluid or the contaminated needle?
Could he have smeared blood or other infectious fluid onto me when I was sleeping? And I was wondering if the brown specks of particles are actually some kind of biological hazard that could damage my health.


I'm really sorry if this sounds totally far-fetched but my mind cant help but keep repeating these scenarios in my head. Realistically speaking, is there any chance at all that I might have been injected/poked/inserted with a HIV contaminated needle with HIV blood filled syringe and hence get infected with the HIV virus? How high are my chances of contracting HIV in this case? Can this kind of scenario possibly happen i.e sleeping while others secretly infect you with HIV via needlestick without you knowing?

Appreciate if you can hlp me out on this one. Thanks a million!!!  

Answer
Dear Don:

Peace and all good things to you.  One of the difficulties that come with a good mind and active imagination is the ability to propose potential ways one could be infected.  You apparently have both, and while the "possibility" of these exist, the probability is worth attention.  

IF someone wished to do you harm, there are a million more efficient and effective ways than waiting for you on a bus to inject you with HIV.  Given the treatments available today, your life expectancy would be long, and with that length of life is some continued hope for ever more effective treatment.

I agree with you that the scenarios are far-fetched; I would recommend that you speak with a highly qualified professional who can help you address the fears.  I know several people who, like you, are bright and suffer from similar fears, and who, with the help of a therapist and sometimes medications, are able to refocus on their own pursuit of happiness.  I suggest you speak with your doctor and ask for a referral, if necessary, and wish you the absolute best.

Thank you for your question, I hope my answer, and your follow-through, bring you peace and joy.

Best to you and yours,

Terry