Because of my HBV positive status I’m afraid of HIV infection.
Right now I have a manual work in a warehouse. In my work there are also many migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa where HIV-infections are endemic. Due to the nature of my work, I often happen to have tiny cuts and abrasions on my hands (see the picture attached for reference), and I assume others have them too. This leads to me to think that I’m at a higher risk of HIV-exposure due to touching common objects and surfaces such as door knobs and handles, light switchers and so on. Very often I don’t even realize I was wounded until I disinfect my hands with a sanitizer and feel a pinching sensation.
I’m afraid that traces of blood are on the surfaces and objects and can easily spread to other people through these small wounds while touching contaminated objects.
Wearing gloves is not always possible because they handicap the flow of work (I’m packing clothes into plastic bags), and nylon gloves get torn easily. Sticking plasters on these wounds seems to be futile because they don’t hold onto the skin for long.
How to avoid infection and is there a reason to be afraid? Because of chronic hepatitis my health is already compromised, and for these reason I’m quite concerned about other chronic diseases.
