Expert: Terry B - 5/3/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have OCD, its contamination fears,and a couple of days ago, I was outside with my friend, and I noticed blood on the ground, not loads, I think it was probably dry, but it was where I had walked anyway, so is there any chance that I could catch AIDS this way? I usually throw my shoes away if that happens, but these ones I didn't and I didn't have gloves to take them off with, and I've wore them again, and didn't put gloves on when I put them on, and I have so many cuts on my hands. I didn't touch the bottoms of them, but could I have caught it like this?
ANSWER: Dear Nicola:

Peace and all good things to you.  Thank you for sharing your struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the challenges facing people with OCD.  

Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and/or breast milk are the fluids that transmit HIV - in a fully dried state, the virus falls apart and cannot infect another person.  

To further address your concerns, in order for HIV to be passed, the blood would need have come from an infected person (small probability depending on where you live, less than 40% chance in the Southern African countries where it is most prevalent).  The amount of blood that may have been incompletely dry is minute and you were not significantly exposed (no direct contact with visible fluid to your skin, open sores, or mucous membranes).  Thus you are at no risk of HIV transmission.

I wish you the best and ask you to please continue working with your health professional.  Life is not nearly as dangerous as it might seem.

Best to you and yours.

Terry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank You

I live in the UK, but even with the cuts on my hand, which didn't touch the bottom of my shoes, its definetly ok?

Also how likely would it be to catch AIDS from things like doorhandles, money, things like that?

Yeah my therapist said I should research stuff about AIDS

Answer
Dear Nicola:

Again, peace, and congratulations on having a wise therapist.  Yes, it is definitely okay, meaning there is no way you could contract HIV from what you describe.  The same for door handles, money, and things like that.  The most dangerous risk is in sharing needles with an infected person, having your blood transfused prior to the mid-1980's, and, to a lesser degree, receptive anal intercourse with an infected person.  Even in the last example, an exposure does not always equate to an infection.

There are lists of risk behaviors and relative risk involved at several sites, two of my favorites being www.thebody.com and www.unaids.org.  

I have friends who live with HIV and have for more than fifteen years; we continue to shake hands or hug or whatever, they hold and play with my children.  Knowing as much as I do about HIV/AIDS gives me great freedom in knowing what my risks are and what they are not.

Again, all the best to you and your loved ones, and please tell your therapist that I appreciate the confirmation of advice.

Sincerely,

Terry