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vanessa1013
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Can HIV be transmitted via a nitrous balloon?
#252476 - 10/14/10 01:39 AM
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Hi there,
Thank you in advance for reading...
I attended a "rave" like party on 8/21/10. At this party, nitrous balloons were being passed around. I took several hits...And now I am wondering if there is any chance I can get HIV from sharing a balloon.
I took an oral HIV test at Planned Parenthood on 9/30/10. It was negative.
I tested for other STD's, negative too. Pap smear was normal.
I have not had unprotected sex since 11/14/09. My fiance was a virgin, and we have never had unprotected sex.
I have read that HIV is not transmitted via saliva, but I'm wondering if there is any chance of infection if I shared a balloon with someone that perhaps had an open sore, etc. My concern is that I have a tooth filling that fell out...So if shared a balloon with an HIV infected person, could the virus enter through my tooth? Am I paranoid or is this a valid concern?
I made myself quite sick for 11 days prior to testing. I didn't eat, sleep, suffered anxiety attacks, nightmares, etc. You would think that after I got my negative test results I would be relieved, on the contrary, I began questioning the accuracy of the oral rapid test. And now I find myself crying and feeling nervous all the time. Please help.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
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Blessed to be alive!
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You have been breathing too much nitrous if you think this is even a valid concern ....you do however sound as if you need the services of a shrink immediately.
Making yourself ill, crying, nightmares, anxiety attacks, all over a non-issue. AND then you don't even want to believe your negative tests.
OH the drama! BHAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA
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NO chance, nope nada no way study HIV transmission when you get a chance
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vanessa1013
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Thank you much for the prompt and honest opinion.
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Blessed to be alive!
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vanessa1013
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thank you for the prompt reply...
indeed, i have had many friends tell me that i sound totally naive, not to mention...LOONEY!
i don't know why i even participated in the stupid balloon game...i hadn't done that since i was 17 years old. just yesterday i turned 34 and i couldn't even truly enjoy my bday due to this "black cloud" over my head. sigh.
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Blessed to be alive!
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vanessa1013
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Do you think it's possible to catch HIV via a nitrous balloon if I shared a balloon with someone that had bleeding gums or an open mouth sore? Possible or totally impossible?
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Blessed to be alive!
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bartleby
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impossible. no risk. please stop worrying and get back to your life. no need to ask again.
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Bartleby at The Body
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vanessa1013
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BELIEVE ME ...I don't want to continue feeling this way or impose my anxiety on others.
I just find it difficult that a scientific answer has not been provided.
Although Dr. Frascino has provided some assurance, still I'm not sure he understand how the "balloon game" is played. It's basically filling up balloons with nitrous oxide then inhaling the gas...But what if balloons are being reused? Could the tank nozzle be infected? Or like I mentioned before, perhaps HIV is not transmitted via saliva BUT what if I shared a balloon with someone who had bleeding gums? I've read that saliva is infective if there is blood presence. This is why I am totally freaking out!
Thank you much for being patient.
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Blessed to be alive!
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bartleby
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still no. it's absolutely fine to share balloons, cups, plates, forks or what have you. You can even kiss and make out with someone who has HIV and it'd still be a non-risk. once again, no risk to your balloon game. please stop asking.
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Bartleby at The Body
Bulletin Board Administrator
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Really are you kidding me? What part of no it is impossible don't you understand? I mean come on already you have a better chance of winning a unicorn ride on your date with Bad Pitt to Wonderland! Get over it and MOVE ON
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vanessa1013
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RE: Can HIV be transmitted via a nitrous balloon?
Oct 15, 2010
Dr. Bob,
Thank you much for the prompt reply and comforting words.
Really, no chance of catching HIV via a nitrous balloon? Not even if I shared a balloon with someone who had bleeding gums or an open mouth sore? I'm confused. My doctor at Kaiser says that the virus IS transmitted via saliva. Can you kindly elaborate?
By the way, I read your profile...WOW! You're amazing! I will be mailing a donation by end of day.
Best, Vanessa
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello Vanessa,
Yes, really! You can not acquire HIV from a nitrous oxide balloon, (even if you shared it with someone with bleeding gums or mouth sores).
Your Kaiser doctor told you HIV is transmitted via saliva and you want me to elaborate? Hmm. OK, Here ya go. Your Kaiser doctor is wrong. Is that elaborate enough? If you need a more detailed scientific answer, saliva does contain HIV, but not at concentrations high enough to result in viral transmission. Saliva that contains visible fresh blood from an HIV-positive person could theoretically be a risk for transmission. The nitrous balloon would have to be a bloody mess before it would be considered a risk, OK?
Thanks for your donation to The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation (www.concertedeffort.org). Now stop worrying!
Dr. Bob
Can HIV be transmitted via a nitrous balloon? Oct 14, 2010
Hi Doctor,
I attended a "rave" like party on 8/21/10. At this party, nitrous balloons were being passed around. I took several hits...And now I am wondering if there is any chance I can get HIV from sharing a balloon. My concern is that I have a tooth filling that fell out...So if shared a balloon with an HIV infected person, could the virus enter through my tooth?
I took an oral HIV test at Planned Parenthood on 9/30/10. It was negative.
I tested for other STD's, negative too. Pap smear was normal.
I have not had unprotected sex since 11/14/09. My fiance was a virgin, and we have never had unprotected sex.
I have read that HIV is not transmitted via saliva, but I'm wondering if there is any chance of infection if I shared a balloon with someone that perhaps had an open mouth sore, etc. Am I paranoid or is this a valid concern?
I made myself quite sick for 11 days prior to testing. I didn't eat, sleep, suffered anxiety attacks, nightmares, etc. You would think that after I got my negative test results I would be relieved, on the contrary, I began questioning the accuracy of the HIV oral rapid test. And now I find myself crying and feeling nervous all the time. Please help.
Best, Vanessa
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello Vanessa,
A rave where everyone sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks? Hmm. Well, at least it's safer than loads of other party favors passed around at raves.
Your concerns about STD/HIV via nitrous oxide balloons is unwarranted. The risk is nonexistent. Neither worry nor HIV testing is warranted. If my reassurance isn't sufficient for you to shake your irrational fears, consider getting help from your doctor for anxiety. HIV is definitely not your problem!
Dr. Bob
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Blessed to be alive!
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Certainly don't understand your reasoning for posting this, after all if anyone was interested in the slightest over non-risk issues they can go read Dr. Bob's Q&As. Perhaps it's just a way to give us all a final farewell. One can always hope....
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vanessa1013
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Izabella...I don't know why I posted it either. I'm still losing sleep over this. I keep imagining that I'll become the poster child as the first person to ever catch HIV via a nitrous balloon.
Of all the other high risk situations that I've put myself through, I just don't understand why I'm so fixated on this "low risk" event. I tested negative on 9/30/10, approximately 40 days after the party. Is that enough time?
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Blessed to be alive!
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Damn. I knew it would be too good to be true that you were leaving.
So let's talk about the REAL issue. You have been told this is a no risk situation......endlessly. That's the end of the story. PERIOD. There is no reason for those of us living in reality to waste anymore time on this subject.
The fact you want to continue stressing over a complete non-risk situation is the issue. You can't get help here for your obvious mental health problems. Do something about the REAL problem. Go see a mental health professional to figure out why you continue to obsess over a non-risk situation.
Or to put it another way. You are insulting those of us that live with HIV with your paranoid, unfounded fears over how HIV is transmitted. Grow up and GO AWAY!!!!
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vanessa1013
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I can assure you my intentions are not to hurt anyone.
This experience has made me realize that I'd rather be part of the solution and not the problem...I will be participating in the AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
I would NEVER want to offend those infected and affected by this terrible disease. God Bless.
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Blessed to be alive!
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