[Question #13368] HIV exposure during a casual event

4 hours 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

24 minutes 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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