[Question #13524] Blood contact with open deep wound

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1 months ago
Hi doctors. I’ve just had an unusual incident where during some celebration me and my colleague hit each other’s champagne bottles and broken them causing deep cut(muscle was visible and bleeding heavily) on fingers on both of us. I don’t really know his hiv, std status and not sure if his blood got into contact with my wound. Should i get pep or something like that? My local doctor said negligible risk as the blood was flowing outside … please help.
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1 months ago
Also after 5-10 minutes, doctor used hydrogen peroxide and iodine to disinfect. Will it kill hives and any other virus?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum.  Thanks for your continuing confidence in our service.  Were I in your position I would not feel any need for PEP.  

I agree with your doctor- blood flowing outward is not a risk for acquistion of HIV.   Material containing HIV must be injected INTO the body to cause infection.   In addition, you do not know the HIV status of your friend and statistically it is quite unlikely that he has untreated HIV or other blood borne infection.  

Yes, both hydrogen peroxide and iodine would kill HIV if present.

Please don't worry.  I see no need for concern and no need for testing related to the incident that you describe.  EWH
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1 months ago
Thanks for the reassurance! And final question:
Does your advice refer to all sti/stds
Regarding testing and not worrying?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
I'm pleased that my comments were helpful.   Yes, my assessment is for all STIs.  Please don't worry.  EWH---
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1 months ago
And one more thing: I read in internet that hydrogen peroxide is not that effective killing hiv as it should be applied quickly until virus enters to body. and im not sure when my friend's blood got into contact with my wound, whether blood started to flow outside or not yet.  does it make any difference? are there many/any such cases out there? and the last thing: what's the difference between injecting vuris into the body and getting blood in an open wound?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
Sigh! I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble moving forward following the no risk event that you’ve described. These will be my final responses and the thread will then be closed. There should be no need to return and should you return with additional questions regarding this no risk encounter The thread may be closed without a response without return of your posting fee. You are worrying entirely too much about an inconsequential event. 

The effect of hydrogen peroxide is immediate. Organisms do not need to be entirely dead to become non-infectious. HIV becomes non-infectious before it is dead.

The flow of blood from an open wound is always outward not inward. As I’ve already indicated for infection to occur infectious material must enter the body and the bloodstream. That means that injection of infectious material can potentially cause an infection but surface contamination does not. I say this with complete confidence.  I am not aware of any infections, proved to have occurred through the sources of exposure that you describe.

Once again, I urge you to put your unwarranted anxiety aside, and move forward without concern. This thread is now complete. I wish you the best. EWH.
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