[Question #12522] Cut on thumb and HIV.

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7 months ago

I have a small wound on my thumb (about 0.5 cm). It bled before but has stopped, though it’s still red, Blood doesn’t flow unless I press on it, then I went to a STI clinic for a routine checkup. Could there be any risk of HIV from the wound? 


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7 months ago
Most of the people visiting the clinic are there for STI-related issues, and some might have HIV. My hand might have come into contact with various things, such as the door, a pen for signing documents, or the table where I rested my hand during the blood draw. I think, I didn’t come into contact with anyone else’s blood, but I keep thinking about it.

Sorry if this question sounds silly, but I’m very anxious about HIV, btw my result is negative.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
7 months ago
Welcome back to the forum. You posted your question while I was logged in to the forum myself:  most users should not expect nearly real-time replies!

This is your fourth question on the forum. It's more than a year after your previous three, but your questions have all been similar. Here's part of my reply from your very first, nearly two years ago:  "HIV has never been known to be transmitted by exposure of a healing cut." Your next two question raised similar concerns. And this concern really is just plain nonsense. Are you really concerned about catching HIV because you were in a clinic where many patients might have HIV? Where in heaven's name did you become fearful that just being in a room or building with HIV infested persons, could result in transmission of the virus? I'm sorry you are "very anxious about HIV", and glad to hear your current test was negative. On one hand, it can be said that no question from a concerned patient is "silly". But you really should not be at all concerned. There has never been a case of HIV not acquired by truly intimate contact or massive blood exposure.

To some extent, the health professions are at fault for such fears. Sometimes advice implies that ANY blood contact can transmit HIV. It isn't true. It takes far more blood contact to risk infection than you describe here. You will never get HIV if you are sexually safe and do not share drug injection needles with other person. All is well; there is no possibility of HIV infection from just being in the clinic. (And by the way, congratulations for attending the clinic for HIV/STD testing if you have been at risk!)

HHH, MD
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7 months ago

Ok, So the wound on my thumb does not pose a risk for HIV transmission, even if I accidentally touched various surfaces in the clinic, including those that might have had blood on them (though I didn’t see any blood).

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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
7 months ago
Yes, this statement is correct. I'm glad you understand. ---
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7 months ago
Last question, I have asked you before, but I would like to ask whether this assumption remains the same.

He uses his hand on my penis and himself to ejaculate, {which I think poses no risk?}. However, suppose his pre-ejaculate or semen touches the tip of my penis and may enters my urethra. Would this pose a risk for HIV?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
7 months ago
No it would not pose such a risk. It takes exposure to LARGE AMOUNTS of HIV for infection to take hold, and not nearly enough virus could be carried over in this manner.

This is your fourth forum question, all of them reflecting your exaggerated concerns about HIV from situations and exposures that almost everybody undrestands carry little or no risk. You will never be infected by sexual contact that does not include unprotected penile penetration into a partner's vagina or rectum (and maybe mouth but only very rarely). Let's have no more about hand-genital contact, oral sex, etc; those issues have been completely answered in your existing discussions. Please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic, especially when anxiety driven, or about events that are well known to carry no risk of HIV. Excessive questions may be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. This policy comes from compassion, not criticism; experience shows that repeated answers tend to prolong anxiety rather than relieving it, because there's always a "yes but" or "am I the exception" sort of thinking. Such questions also have lower educational value for other users, one of the forum's goals. Thanks for your understanding.

I do hope this final discussion helps you move on with no further worry. Best wishes and stay safe.

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