Last week I was out enjoying myself at the mall. I decided to stop at a clothing store where I tried on a bomber jacket made from what I believe was ripstop nylon. While taking off the jacket, I felt a scratch on my left hand/thumb. Soon after this, I started worrying about the possibility of contracting HIV from this, as I had a somewhat long, but fairly shallow (I think) scratch with what appeared to be a small amount of blood. However, I did not see any blood flowing out of the wound. My worries increased and I went back the next day to examine the jacket and uncover just what had scratched me. Upon this examination, I found a security tag with its sharp point. I believe this is almost certainly what had scratched me. Is there any risk of me contracting HIV from this event? What if there was blood on the sharp point? What if there was dried blood? Should I go test in several weeks? I have been panicked for about a week now over this and I do not know what to do, so I look forward to your input. 

 You are not at any risk whatsoever from the scratch you suffered at the mall. HIV is not transmitted on inanimate objects. Upon exposure to the environment, HIV virtually immediately becomes noninfectious, and, as a result, even if the security tag that you mentioned had scratched another person who happened to have HIV shortly before you scratched yourself, there would still be absolutely no risk for HIV. 

There is no reason for concern related to the event you describe.  I encourage you to move forward and put this concern away. Take care. EWH. 

Thank you for your prompt reply, it’s much appreciated. Does what you say hold true even if I was scratched by the metal, needle-like part of the device? What about if it made me bleed a small amount? (A possibility) And would it still hold true if the device was located in the pocket of the jacket? (I suppose I’m curious if it being a nylon zip pocket would inhibit it’s exposure to air/light). Lastly, does this experience require me to go get tested in a few weeks? Thank you again and I greatly admire the service that you and your fellow experts provide on here. 

The is no scientific reason for testing related to the event you describe, not now, not if the future.

I think you are seriously overthinking this.  Once again, I urge you to put your fears aside and move forward without concern.  EWH 

Thank you for your explanations, they  have brought some calm into my life.  However, I must confess that I am of an anxious disposition. Thusly, I’m curious (and anxious!) about a few things. Would the pin scratching me (and making me bleed) be akin to an occupational exposure/needle stick? Does this event that I experienced count as a needle stick? Has anyone been known to contact HIV this way?And what if there were blood on the pin (dried or ‘fresh’)? Does the location on my hand/thumb have any significance? And what if someone who is living with HIV was pricked or scratched before me?  Is there really no risk here? And lastly, if there is truly no risk, how do I get over this? 

Thank you again for your time and your service. 

Hollow point needles can shelter blood within the needle and transfer the virus while the virus is not transmitted on solid objects. Thus, the event you describe in no way resembles a needle stick.  HIV is not transmitted by pin pricks because pins do not have an open space tp carry infectious material that can be transmitted.

If someone had acquired HIV in the manner you suggested I would’ve told you so, and I would not have said that this was a no risk event.

If you are having trouble getting over this no risk event, you do not need testing, but you need to seek the advice of a counselor.

This completes this thread. I hope the information that I have provided will help you to move on. EWH.