[Question #11478] Nail clipping hit lip

14 months ago

Hello doctors,

I would usually never ask another question of this kind of forum but I have had a very disgusting encounter that has kind of sent my mind spinning. I was sitting across from a man on a bus who was clipping his fingernails with nail clippers. As he was clipping his nail, it flicked across and hit me directly on my lip. I didn’t taste any blood, but when I looked after I noticed a small abrasion. I have read previous threads and know that nail scratches are not risk for HIV, but this kind of situation has never happened to me and I am struggling to think rationally. My question is, was this a risk for HIV? I am concerned that there was blood or genital secretions under his nails. Thank you so much doctors!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

14 months ago

Welcome back, but I really don't understand why you're here. Personal taste varies widely, of course, but I doubt most persons would consider such an event "disgusting", and personally I would not -- slightly unpleasant, but certainly not a disease risk. In addition, quoting my reply from your previous thread a few days ago:

"HIV is simply never transmitted other than by very intimate contact. There has never been a case of HIV transmitted by contact other than intimate, i.e. sex, needle sharing for drug use, etc."

Maybe you didn't remember, understand or believe that comment, but it fits here. Zero risk for HIV or any other STI or blood borne infection. Please stop worrying and definitely do not get tested for HIV.

Let me know if anything isn't clear. Best wishes.

HHH, MD

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14 months ago

Thank you so much Dr. Handsfield. Since this my last question for at least 6 months as per forum policy, I was wondering if you could enlighten me on the following:

1. Just to be clear, even if the nail contained dried blood/secretions I still shouldn’t worry?

2. Also, I had a situation a few days ago where I sat on a public toilet but the seat was wet with what I worry was toilet water and vaginal secretions. The wet portion touched my labia majora as when I sat I did not see the mess on the seat. Is this concern for infection?

Thanks for all you do!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

14 months ago

1. Correct.

2. Rumors and worries about toilet seats and STIs go back a couple hundred years and HIV is the modern equivalent. It never happens.

Please re-read my opening statement above (from our previous discussion) and believe it! There are no exceptions!

There is no forum policy about time between questions. But there is a policy against repeated anxiety driven questions that ask the same sorts of questions.

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