Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 1/4/2007

Question
Kristen,
Thank you very much for the answers and support. I really appreciate your help.
As I was not able to withstand the tension and anxiety I went to my family doctor and he ordered me to have a HIV Test next week and another in 6 months

1) Another important question is,  on the threading of the battery cap of the vibrator, there was some creamy substance in the color of semen. It might actaully be a cap lubricant. What is the chance that it is un-dried semen or vaginal fliud?

2) Lysol says it only kills HIV1 on pre-cleaned environmental surfaces. Does it mean Iam at risk of HIV2?

3) Call me Crazy, but Iam keeping my Kids away from me for the fear of infecting them through daily casual contact. What do you suggest to do for the next 6 months.

I actually called the online store that shipped me these toys and they are saying that they never sell used produts.
But I cant believe that from their packaging.

Please, please, please answer the above the questions.

Thanks
Melanie
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Thank you for the answer.
If at all there was any HIV present, will spraying Lysol kill it all?


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I recently ordered a couple of vibrators online. The toys actually came in a
box, but the manufacturer package in the box is broken. Another toy is actaully
in a ziplog bag.
If these were previously used, what is the chance that HIV is live and active on
those toys? It would have at least taken 2 days to ship them to me. Will the
Virus be live that long on the sex toys? Of course I sprayed Lysol on them
before using. But there might have been a paper cut on my finger when I touched
the toy before spraying Lysol!

-----Answer-----
If toys are used between people then HIV can be transmitted that way if the toys have semen or vaginal fluid on them- this happens when used by one person and then another directly after. Since there was a gap in time and fluid on the toys should have been dried which means any HIV would be dead. I wouldnt worry about contracting HIV from that but I would be pretty mad at who shipped the products...
-----Answer-----
If Lysol contains a bleaching agent, then yes.

Answer
1. There is really no way that I would know the answer to this.

2. I'm not familiar with the Lysol can but I can tell you that HIV 1 is the most common strain of HIV. HIV 2 is less common and less easily transmitted and is mainly found in West Africa. You probably do not need to worry about HIV 2.

3. HIV is *NOT* transmitted through casual contact at all. Your kids will not get it from hugging you, kissing you, drinking or eating after you, sleeping with you at night etc. HIV is spread through unprotected sexual contact and through blood exposure. There is no reason to worry about your children becoming infected in the slight chance you have been infected yourself.

Just a note about going to a family doctor for an HIV test- when you do that, if you receive a positive result, it goes into your medical record and can make health insurance rates increase or much more difficult to get in the future. I *always* recommend that people go to the health department where testing and counseling is free and anonymous. Not that family doctors are a bad option but I dont think it's the *best* option for the individual.

I'm also wondering why your doctor would suggest testing for HIV since I think it is unwarranted in this situation. HIV dies quickly and if the Lysol can indicates it kills the virus, there is really nothing to be concerned about here. HIV is NOT easily transmitted- it is not definite that someone having unprotected sex with an infected person will get the virus. It's always good to be tested if you are really concerned and it will create peace of mind but I honestly feel it is not warranted here.