At the end of the party I stayed behind to help tidy up, including taking boxes and trash bags outside.

I have only just recovered from a bad cold. I still have a scab in my nose and I had a pimple under my nostril. Before leaving yesterday, stupidly without thinking, I inserted my index finger deep into my nostril to pick the scab. I also popped my pimple in the bathroom mirror as it had a yellow head (it bled quite a bit).

My concern is the fact that I may have been touching items with HIV-fluids on them - including the boxes, Deliveroo bags, towels and door handles. I had not washed my hands before this moment of madness and I also touched my heavily bleeding pimple.

Can you put my mind at rest? Am I in the clear with HIV?

God Bless.

You were not at risk on account of an HIV infected person's knife injury. The only possible way that could have happened would be if you had an open wound yourself that directly contacted that person's fresh blood -- which obviously didn't happen.HIV is never transmitted by contact with the virus in the environment, or by personal contact other than intimate sex or shared drug injection equipment. Even after 10 years and more in the households of HIV infected persons, other household members who aren't sex partner never catch the virus even after all those years sharing toilets, kitchens, eating utensils, and the like. Or by environmental contact with the infected persons' blood or other body fluids. All this was scientifically known and proved 40 years ago, when the world wide HIV AIDS epidemic was just starting:  nobody without intimate contact with infected persons becomes infected themselves.

So do your best not to worry. I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear

HHH, MD

Apologies if I have mis-read. I understand that you are saying: 

1. Regardless of touching HIV blood / seamen / vaginal fluids in the environment (i.e on door handles or bags), there is NO RISK even if I put my finger in my nostril to touch my scab or touched my popped pimple (which was bleeding)?

2. The only ways to ever be at risk of HIV as an adult is via:

a) unprotected intercourse; and/or 

b) sharing needles?

3. NO RISK of HIV based on the above scenario and no scientific need for testing whatsoever?

4. Move on with my life with zero concern and don’t give HIV a second thought?

Thank you and God Bless.

2. Generally correct.

3. Same question, different words. Same answer.

4. Correct.

Thanks for the thanks and for the blessing. Take care of yourself.

Apologies - I should have re-worded my Question (3):

Since you say HIV is never transmitted via contact with the virus in the environment, I assume your answer will be ‘NO’.

Your reassurance is greatly appreciated and thank you again. I have no additional questions other than the above and look forward to moving on from this scare.

It’s a shame so many other medical professionals and bodies online do not give such straightforward responses (which, I am sure you will agree, contributes to folks’ anxiety). This forum has been a great find.

Thanks for the thanks about our services. I'm glad we could help. Best wishes and stay safe.