[Question #13368] HIV exposure during a casual event

1 months ago

I am not sure if this is an issue however I am panicking. I am an amateur boxing coach and last week at an event. I noticed that I had a cut on my knuckle. It was towards the end of the event when I noticed and I don’t remember when or how it happened. I had been fist bumping people, working with fighters, and shaking hands. When I’m in the ring, I wear gloves however when I’m out of the ring, I do not. Is there a possibility that I could have gotten the HIV virus?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.

Like many persons, you may have inflated views about HIV risks. You should not be at all worried. Some advice online and elsewhere can give the impression that events like yours might transmit HIV. They do not. Some advice just says "blood contact" may transmit HIV, without describing what that means or how much blood exposure actually may be risky. However, nobody in the world has ever been known acquired HIV from contact of the kind you are worried about. Please do not worry and do not get tested. There is no chance you have acquired HIV or any other blood borne infection, even if one of the boxers or others in your environment happen to have HIV.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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1 months ago

You have me curious. You’re 100% correct that what is read on the Internet is terrifying and the reason why I reached out. One online article that I read discussed micro cuts, and getting blood on the skin through these would cause it. What does blood contact mean?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Be careful with internet searching. Anyone can write anything. Best stick with professionally run or at least professionally moderated sites, and avoid those by and for people with the medical problem you are concerned about or at risk for it. Like Reddit, for example.

Also try to distinguish statements about theoretical vs documented risks. To my knowledge, nobody has ever acquired HIV by exposure of "micro cuts" (whatever that means) or even wide open wounds to other persons' blood or body fluids. In general it means exposure by shared needles, blood transfusion, and large or deep wounds by sharp instruments contaminated with an infected person's wet and visible blood. Other than those, caring for the victim of an auto accident or gunshot, with blood "all over the place" including your face and eyes, probably could transmit the virus, but I've never heard of any reports of this actually known to happen.

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