[Question #11610] HIV or Hepatitis C Risk from Contact and Environmental Surfaces

13 months ago

Hello and thank you for your time.

1) Someone who is an athlete with scratches and cuts on their hand/fingers gave me a fist bump to the side of my arm and the side of my arm has a pimple/ingrown hair/ scratch (it's hard to tell which). Does this brief contact put me at risk for HIV or Hepatitis C?

2) I've read on this forum that Hepatitis C and HIV are NOT infectious once they leave the human body and are on any type of environmental service, is this correct?

13 months ago

3) Is there any risk of Hepatitis C or HIV if I fist bumped someone and then touched a scratch on my arm with the same part of my hand that I fist bumped them with?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

Welcome to our forum. Thank you for your questions. I’ll be glad to comment. You are correct that hepatitis C is not an STI with the relatively rare exception of person who receive rectal intercourse from an infected person. Even then, it is uncommon.

HIV as well as hepatitis C relatively hard to transmit. As you note, these viruses become non-infectious when they are outside the body and exposed to the environment. They are not transmitted by touching a spot where infectious material may have been ( I.e. a toilet seat, a counter top, etc.) and certainly are not transmitted through fist bumps, even if there are scratches or other open sores, present on either person or both persons fists. They are also never transmitted from person to person on a persons hands.

Nothing you describe suggest any risk whatsoever for HIV or hepatitis C. I see no reason for concern and certainly no reason for testing.

I hope this information is helpful. Please do not worry. EWH.

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13 months ago

Thank you.

Additional question:

I was taking a bandage off of a close family member and did it casually... I believe some of the blood from their bandage or even from their wound/skin touched my hand, and I immediately washed my hand afterwards. Some small background on the family member: They have undergone several surgical procedures and are currently undergoing chemotherapy. The reason I mention this is that I'm confident that during their countless follow-ups in regard to several medical issues including prior surgeries and cancer-related tests and all of the blood work that they have undergone over time... They would NOT be unknowingly carrying Hepatitis C or HIV.

Regardless of any cuticles, scratches or rashes that may have been on my hand... Would you also say this is a NON-RISK for Hepatitis C or HIV?

13 months ago

To clarify, the bandage was covering their wound where the port is placed for chemotherapy.

13 months ago

Additional clarification: The wound is also covered by what appear to be steri-strips that remained intact.

13 months ago

I've become so accustomed to you telling me that there is NO real risk for Hepatitis C or HIV and that there is NO need for testing and that there is NO need to worry. Hopefully, this remains the case.

13 months ago

I apologize if that was confusing: I removed the bandage that was over the apparent steri-strips and after removing the bandage, the apparent steri-strips remained intact.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

I really think you are over thinking this. Even if your family member had HIV or hepatitis there would be no risk and no need for testing BUT:

Why would you think your family member was infected. That they have received chemotherapy by no means means they have HIV or hepatitis C.

EWH

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13 months ago

Thank you for your responses so far. Just to put closure to all of this... As you said, none of the events I described put me at any risk of Hepatitis C or HIV.

- Someone fist bumping my arm or my hand with either of us or both of us having any scratches, cuts, pimples, scrapes, sores, ingrown hairs, etc.

- Me removing a family member's bandage with some of their blood from the bandage and/or their wound/skin contacting my hand with any cuticles, scratches, scrapes or rashes.

For closure: NO risk for HIV or Hepatitis C and NO need for testing, correct?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

13 months ago

I cannot understand why repeating your questions a 3rd time would change the response. It will not. None of the activities you describe are associate with risk for HIV or hepatitis C. There is no need for testing.

This completes this thread which will now be closed. There should be no need to return to the forum regarding the events you describe or similar ones. EWH

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