[Question #13432] Barber Sterilisation

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1 months ago

I’d like to better understand the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections (such as hepatitis or HIV) in situations where tools like an alum block soap or styptic pencil or pedi and mani tools are reused between clients—for example, in a barbershop setting. Could such items transmit infections if they come into contact with small cuts or blood, even if they are rinsed but not properly disinfected? Also, how significant is the risk of transmission if a healthcare worker does not sanitize their hands before putting on gloves to draw blood?


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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum.  Your question suggests that you continue to overestimate the risk of acquiring HIV and other blood borne infections from virtually no risk situations.  If you have searched about these possibilities on the internet you have probably been misled.  For non-sexual transmission to occur, contaminated material must be directly injected into tissue.  Surface contamination is a close to no risk event, both because exposure to the environment makes the viruses non-infectious, because the viruses do not have access to bloodstream, and because in the transfer process the amount of infectious material transferred is diluted more than one hundred fold.  These facts, combined with the fact that even in areas where the infections are “ common” ( in such areas, only a few percent of persons are infected.  “ Common” is a relative term.) the infections are uncommon make transmission of infection extraordinarily rare, if it happens at all.  The risk is lower than the risk of being struck by lightning and not something to worry about.

Similarly you seem to misunderstand why healthcare workers wear gloves.  This is to protect them from you, not the other way around.  Whether they sanitize their hands is irrelevant.  Any washing or sanitization performed is effective and helps to reduce any theoretical but unproven risk to them. 

I have never seen or heard or transmission of HIV or other blood borne infections in the manner you suggest.  Please don’t worry. EWH
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