Forum on Safe Sex and HIV Prevention: Dressing room scare!

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		Dressing room scare! Nov 18, 2008 Dr. Bob, First and foremost, I want to congratulate you on your recent marriage. I was so happy for you when I read the great news! I wish you nothing but the best in your life together. :) I'm going crazy. I know I have OCD/anxiety-disorders and worry more about HIV than I probably should. Whenever I am in a public place, it seems to cross my mind as hard as I try to fight it - and what's worse, is my anxiety medicine ran out this weekend! I would really appreciate a response from you about something that happened today, and if there is even the slightest reason to worry/get on PEP. I went to the mall and went into one of the dressing rooms to try on some clothes. After hanging the clothes on the door hanger, I took off my sweatshirt and laid it on the little seat that they usually have in the dressing rooms. As I was trying different things on, I noticed there were a few spots on the wall that had dried snot/boogers. Just gross, no need to worry. As I kept looking on the walls, I noticed a dried spot of what looked like blood. It's dry, I didn't touch it, and it can't jump out at me - so again, no need to worry. BUT, then after picking up my sweatshirt and putting it back on, I noticed there were a few red marks/small red spots (possibly blood). Wasn't sure if it was dried or not as I told myself not to touch it. I did rub one of the spots with the edge of the hanger and it appeared to be dry, but I'm still not sure. What I am worried about is that I had place my sweatshirt on this little seat and if anything rubbed off on my sweatshirt and then onto my face as I put it on? Also, everytime I took a different article of clothing off the hanger, I sat it on this seat. My fingers may have rubbed up against these spots and I bite my nails all the time, as well as the cuticle/area around the nail (nervous habit). What if an area of broken skin came in contact with one of these spots? I can't get this out of my mind! Please respond. Please. I'll even be okay with a "yes" or "no" in response to whether or not I need to worry, just so I have some sort of reassurance from you. I should have had bandaids on my fingers to prevent any sort of worry, but didnt think the dressing room would have that in it! HELP!!!


Advertisement Response from Dr. Frascino Hi, Slightest reason to worry or get on PEP? No, absolutely not! My only advice is to refill your anti-anxiety meds and consider counseling for your OCD. Dr. Bob Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!

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