HomeAnswersDermatologyhiv testingEven after testing negative for HIV repeatedly and being sexually inactive, I am worried about getting HIV. Please help.

Can HIV get transmitted through water?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At January 18, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 19, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I got diagnosed with genital herpes nine months back, and after that, the episodes of this started happening very frequently, so I got anxious and got HIV testing done, which came negative. Since then, I have undergone HIV testing five times, and all test reports were negative. But whenever genital lesions reoccur, I only think of HIV that I might get HIV from even water or something like that. I have not been sexually active in the last six months. And I also do not have a history of unprotected sex.

Last month, I developed a herpes lesion, and they have not gone completely till now, so out of worry, I again did rapid HIV testing this month, which came negative. I have been in a very stressful environment for the last four and a half months. The next day after testing negative, I again started having anxiety regarding HIV despite having no contact history or history of any unprotected sex or sexual activity. I got anxious because next to my room was allotted to two people the previous night, and I was sharing a room with three other friends, and we had a common washroom. So the next morning, one of my friends went to the washroom and cleaned the toilet seat with hot water, but some water was left in that bucket. So after around half an hour, I went to the washroom and used that water to clean the toilet seat again, and then I took some of that water in hand and cleaned my herpes sores. Now I am afraid of that water being contaminated by HIV. However, I am not sure whether those two people next to my room went to the washroom for that duration, and, even if they went, whether they used water from that bucket and whether they are positive or negative, I do not know. None of those two had active bleeding points, but one had a healing wound of around ten days. Scab was completely formed in that place now. I am worried that I can get an infection this way. Can infection spread through a scab of around ten days? As I checked, no blood came from that small scab, and I even asked them whether they had used that bucket. They denied using that and even said they did not touch anything. Please guide me, as this is giving me serious anxiety issues.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

First of all, I would like to request that you do not get this much worried. If you have recurrent genital herpes, it can be treated. It would have helped if you shared some clinical photographs of genital herpes. If the episodes are six or more in a year, you will have to take antiviral for a long period. Now coming to the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) part. I understand you are worried, but not every patient with herpes will have HIV. And if it has not come positive for nine months, it is highly unlikely that it will be reactive unless there is a fresh exposure. And herpes would not spread via water in a bucket, so stop worrying about all these things.

Are you taking any treatment for herpes right now? Please send pictures of lesions and the HSV (herpes simplex virus) serology reports so I can suggest some treatment for herpes. There is no need to repeat HIV testing so frequently. If you are still this worried, please also consult a psychologist. Psychosexual anxiety is a very common condition.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I am worried that I can catch HIV from water or the surface despite knowing that these are not the transmission route. I also consulted a psychologist. But please, can you clear my doubt? Is there any possibility that I can get HIV by cleaning my herpes sores with water? I am worried the water might have been used by the people staying in the next room. One day before using that water, I did rapid testing, which was negative. On the next day, in the morning, I used water from that bucket after using the washroom. Since then, I have been getting anxiety and panic attacks that I might get an infection like this because even nasal blockage feels like a symptom of HIV. Although when I went to the toilet, I did not see any blood or visible fluid. Please give me the right direction and advise if I need to undergo testing again.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) does not spread via water. So please do not worry about it. I understand you are concerned about relating every symptom to HIV, but water would not lead to HIV. Also, stop getting HIV tests again and again. There is no point in getting this test every couple of days or weeks. Try to be calm and relaxed. The attached photograph (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) also is normal, and no signs of active herpes can be seen. Can you please tell me who diagnosed herpes and based on what tests? What were the symptoms? Currently, it looks normal.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

My dermatologist diagnosed it nine months back, and an investigation was done in which HSV 2 was positive. Unfortunately, I do not have that report with me now. But I am taking the tablet Acyclovir 400 mg three times daily and using Acivir cream for local application. Maybe I developed these anxiety issues due to stress, as I have been living in quite a stressful environment for the last five years.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

The tablet Acyclovir 400 mg three times daily is the dose for an acute episode. For recurrent episodes, suppressive therapy is given, which is anti-viral given, continuously. The dose for that is Acyclovir 400 mg two times daily. If you do not have an active infection and are getting more than six episodes in a year, I suggest continuing the tablet Acyclovir 400 mg twice daily.

We all can have anxiety, and we all get worried. It is not your fault. So please focus on other things and hobbies and continue the medication. There is no need to get an HIV test now, in my opinion. Still, if you want to go for it, get it done after six months of the previous one.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you so much for the reply.

You are most welcome. Have a nice weekend.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am more worried about this rash as it has not gone completely and has been there since last month.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

It does not look like herpes, and you are already taking treatment for that anyways. It can be Candidal balanoposthitis. I would suggest using any mild cleanser to clean and applying Candid (Clotrimazole) cream twice a day. Also, you can apply some moisturizer after Candid cream. It should be alright after a few days.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Dilip Kumar Meena
Dr. Dilip Kumar Meena

Dermatology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Dermatology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy