[Question #1401] Would exposure to the air affect my HIV test?

93 months ago

Dear doctor hook and handsfeild

Thank you for all the help you have given . I am now more confident then ever but I just have one question which is not a repeat question and hope you would accommodate me on this .

I changed my clinic and took my final test they assured me about p24 antigen also for HIV . All is well

However I just have small query to make for educational purpose for myself in future and your expert advice will conclude this

During blood draw the nurse took out a Normal traditional syringe which inserts and draws blood . I requested a butterfly needle so she took out the butterfly needle instead

But what she did this time was she drew blood from butterfly needle into the standard syringe container which was suppose to be used on me earlier .

Once blood was full in that container , the top of the container was open exposing my blood sample to the air . Then she installed the needle on top of that container , injected blood into the final blood sample test tube which goes to the lab .

1Basically my blood sample was exposed to the air would that affect my HIV test ?

2I heard that once blood is exposed to the air HIV dies then would my ag/ab combo be effective since HIV is dead because my blood sample is exposed to the air ?

3How long can blood sample be exposed to air to cause any danger for HIV test results to be inaccurate ?

4Lastly can this also have an effect of any other tests such as hep b or c syphillis?

Thank you again I hope you understood. My question and can reply from your busy schedule

Edward W. Hook M.D.

93 months ago

Drawing blood in the manner you describe for HIV testing would not effect test performance for detection of HIV, hepatitis, syphilis or any other infection. While HIV becomes non-infectious on contact with the environment, exposure to air does not in any way effect detection of infection which does not require living organisms for detection.

You are, again, over thinking this. EWH

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93 months ago

Hello again doctor thank you .

It was just the fact that I thought my blood sample was exposed to air so maybe my test would be inaccurate .

Because I though HIV dies once exposed to air and maybe my test results would be inaccurate

So in simple terms doctor even if my blood test sample is exposed to air that has no effect in my HIV result ? .

Why is that the case can just give me some knowledge on that thanks !

Edward W. Hook M.D.

93 months ago

This is a repetitive question in which you repeat my earlier answer. Air exposure does not make tests inaccurate. As I also said "While HIV becomes non-infectious on contact with the environment, exposure to air does not in any way effect detection of infection which does not require living organisms for detection" EWH
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93 months ago

Thank you for the response again . Since this is my final response .

what I have understood that even if HIV dies once exposed to air .

The tests will be will be realiable and would detect both antibody and antigen even if blood sample is exposed to air .

a simple YES or NO would do for this .

I don't want to test your patience you have been kind to me

Lastly I am now being very careful and educating myself with HIV and not read false information on Internet that is why I came back to you .

I love having head massages from parlours . It calms me down . Just wanted to ask if having head massages are sometimes rough .

So scratches from finger nails on the head from a babar even if HIV positive would post no risk ?

Can HIV pass from fingernails/hands from person massaging you if any cuts happen ? .

I should not worry ever about having head massages or should stop and play it safe

I thank you for helping me this is my last message bless you always and thank you for educating me

Edward W. Hook M.D.

93 months ago

Your new question is again repetitive and does test my patient. The answer is YES

Head massages of the sort you describe, even with scratches do not put you at risk for HIV. HIV is not transmitted by scratches from anyone. HIV is transmitted ONLY by penetrative sexual contact or injection of infected material deep into tissue. It is not spread in saliva, by touching infected material or by touching infected surfaces which have been contaminated by HIV containing material.

This completes this thread. Further questions about test performance or non-sexual transmission of HIV will be deleted without comment,. EWH

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