About Kristen Brannock, MPH Expertise I can answer any of your questions concerning HIV infection and AIDS. This includes ways it can and cannot be transmitted, how it is treated, how it affects the body and methods to protect yourself. I can also answer questions concerning safer sex and contraception.
Experience I trained with the Red Cross to be an HIV/AIDS counselor and I am a member of CARES- Carolina AIDS Resource Education Service.
Organizations CARES and trained by the Red Cross I also have my Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education.
Education/Credentials Master of Public Health
Health Behavior and Health Education
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
(formerly UNC-CH School of Public Health)
Question QUESTION: I was riding the bus and touched what I thought was a needle but I had to transfer buses quickly so I didn't get a good look at the tip (it might have been a pen). I had on gardening gloves and I didn't feel it prick me. I did some research and found out that contact with any bodily fluids dry or not are a risk for catching an STD. I have never had consensual sex nor kissed anyone so I thought I was safe. I follow basic hygiene(washing hands before and after using the bathroom, before I eat or cook, and after I handle trash or dirty laundry). I was so afraid of catching a STD that when I took my laundry out of the dryer in the laundromat my clothes touched something brown (I think it was dry blood). I couldn't use my towels or underwear I didn't have the money to rewash so I ultimately ended up not showering for several days. Also, while I am doing laundry sometimes another persons bloody towel brushes against me. I was also told to avoid semen how do I identify this substance? Before coming across the information on the internet concerning STD'S I had a carefree life know my clothing options have been limited to jeans, a t-shirt, boots, and gardening gloves.
ANSWER: You wont get HIV from any of those things and there is no reason to worry.
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QUESTION: A used condom in the grass touched my pants leg. What should I do? Also, could you send me a link to a website containing information on HIV prevention aside from the whole abstinence thing. Because I do not participate in any sexual activities whatsoever. I have been to different sites and they are all contradicting each other. I am so confused I do not even want to leave my room. I live in a motel and an AIDS support group is also living here. Am I at risk? The laundry facility, workout facility, and towels are all shared. I have been washing my own bath towels in the laundromat though.
Answer You cannot get HIV from any of the ways you are worried. You can read about prevention from the Center for Disease Control website- just google it. However, you will read the same thing there- refraining from sex, or protecting yourself during sex is how to prevent HIV transmission. Also, not sharing needles or using drugs. You will not get HIV from anything in the environment.
If you are so worried about this that you do not want to leave your room, I suggest that you see a mental health practitioner because the problem is your anxiety and not HIV.
