wowzerdude
06-25-2006, 08:43 AM
This might be a bit ridiculous. I am worried about getting HIV, hepatitic C, or any other life-altering disease. Basically, my glass pipe broke and I was cleaning it with my bare hands and I pricked myself and there was a small little cut but I noticed that I had 4 little cuts. I immediately used hydrogen peroxide and rinsed it and an hour later I rinsed for 5 minutes and used anti-bacterial soap. I then used antibiotic cream. I haven't used the pipe for about over a week and all the pathogens probably didn't survive on the pipe. I am scared that I might have a disease because I remember my friend (who has hepatitis C) used it but that was a few weeks ago. I am also worried about using dollar bills that I happened to share with him when we do stuff. I don't remember him bleeding from his nose but I can't help but worry that I can get hepatitis C from using the same dollar bill. I hate worrying about this. I also happened to share a drink with him and I may have had one of those sores in your mouth after you bite your mouth from eating. I know that I probably am not at risk but it pervades my thoughts constantly. I talked to a nurse and she said I was worrying too much. Someone please help because I think I am depressed about it and I can't deal with it for some reason. I want to get tested but I think it's a bit too recent to find any result. Anything would be helpful...
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steveo23
06-25-2006, 10:40 AM
OCD about diseases is real common man, especially concerning diseases like the ones you have mentioned. I can assure you that you arent at risk. Like you said, the pathogens wouldnt have survived on the pipe or the dollar bills. HIV in particular is extremely fragile, it dies quickly when exposed to the atmosphere (literally seconds) and so does the Hepatitis virus. They need the body to survive. They are actually difficult diseases to catch. They are much more likely to be passed on through sexual contact, and even then contact with an infected person doesnt alwasy result in infection. In the extreme unlikelihood (and I do mean extreme) there WERE pathogens you came into contact with, no way would they have been in sufficient strength to infect you. The only way you could get infected from the pipe/bill if is there was SIGNIFICANT fresh blood from an infected person on them and it somehow found your way directly into your bloodstream within a matter of seconds. So you've got nothing to worry about. And I dont see any reason for you to get tested. You'd have to wait at least 3 months for an HIV test alone, so dont put yourself through that when it isnt necessary.
To put your mind at rest in future, dont share pipes, dollar bills, needles, whatever with anyone. I think I should mention that the use of drugs with any sort of OCD or anxiety will make the problem worse. Give your self a break dude if the obsessions are that much of a problem.
I can relate, because I had the HIV fears too. I went through the hell of getting tested, only to find out that I was ok.
Steve
To put your mind at rest in future, dont share pipes, dollar bills, needles, whatever with anyone. I think I should mention that the use of drugs with any sort of OCD or anxiety will make the problem worse. Give your self a break dude if the obsessions are that much of a problem.
I can relate, because I had the HIV fears too. I went through the hell of getting tested, only to find out that I was ok.
Steve
wowzerdude
06-25-2006, 04:21 PM
Thanks for the reassurance Steveo. It really does help and I am a little more calm. Now that I think back on it, I don't think it's that big of a deal. My worried state just hit the ceiling when the actual situation wasn't that serious. My disposition towards OCD tends to get me worked up, since I am a hypochondriac. The funny thing is I know the reality of the situation but I just can't stop the irrational fear no matter what the reasoning is and I always assume the most extreme case. Anyway, thanks a lot Steveo!
steveo23
06-25-2006, 06:34 PM
No worries man, glad I could help. OCD takes hypochondria to new heights and makes it worse... its a nasty combination. Hey, Ive worried that I have just about every disease under the sun. :)
JAZ87
06-30-2006, 01:04 AM
hey...
I know how it is worrying about diseases... that sucks...i'm sorry. Yeah it may be too early to get tested, dunno. It sounds a little early. I used to do a lot of the same things to suppress my depression and ocd and anxiety...In the long run this only makes it MUCH worse. Are you taking any medications? You should really stop self medicating...it really only makes it worse. :( Maybe talk to a counselor....
jasmine
I know how it is worrying about diseases... that sucks...i'm sorry. Yeah it may be too early to get tested, dunno. It sounds a little early. I used to do a lot of the same things to suppress my depression and ocd and anxiety...In the long run this only makes it MUCH worse. Are you taking any medications? You should really stop self medicating...it really only makes it worse. :( Maybe talk to a counselor....
jasmine

