Personal question about someone I know - Self harm related?

I'm concerned. I know someone who's been a self harmer before. She's a year sober, but when she was admitted into hospital for it, (obviously they search you to make sure you have no blades on you) and she managed to find an already-used one in her room from a previous patient that was admitted there. Obviously she used it. Now my question is, even though its been a year, do you think she should get blood tested for AIDS or hep? Please help. =[

Also, just a question I'd like to know anyway, if you do contract hepatitis or aids, is it possible for it not to show up that long?

Fortunately, HIV is a very fragile virus, it cannot survive out of the body for long.

Even if the person who used the blade previously had HIV, and the virus got onto the blade, all the HIV should be dead within minutes of the blade being in the open air.

That said, there IS still a small risk, so it is worth her having a test to be certain.

Also, the thought that you just might have HIV gnawing away in the back of your mind is an insideous thing, it really will take its own toll over time.

It is far better for her to put her mind at rest, rather than try not to think about the fact she might have contracted HIV.

Hope that helps.

EDIT : She should also definitely be tested for Hepatitis C. Unfortunately hep C is a very robust virus, and it could survive on a blade for months and months, and it is very contagious.

There is no point stressing her by telling her the details regarding the Hep C, but you should encourage her to get tested for both.

All she needs to do is tell the doctor that she was cut by that blade that somebody else had used, and they'll automatically test for HIV and Hep C.

If she is worried about it, then yes. Sharing needles/blades/anything which could allow transfer of blood from one person to another could potentially transfer HIV or hepatitis.

she is a spoilt brat...dont pay attention & dont pamper her...she is an attention seeker..& an adament girl. she should be kicked on her butt