[Question #145] Potential HIV Exposure?
113 months ago
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Dear Doctor:
How are you?
Yesterday I visited a barber shop in Chinatown, Boston. In these barber shops they say they have to wash your hairs for you before cutting because it's easier to cut them this way. So my barber washed my hairs and my concern is this: I had some pustules ( they sometimes would "explode" and bleed) on my head under my hairs. If the barber was HIV+ and he had a cut on his hand, would I be at risk of being infected with HIV (if a very small amount of his blood entered my broken pustules through the potential cuts on his hand) ? Do I need testing? Maybe i'm overreacting.
I sincerely look forward to your help!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
113 months ago
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Welcome back to the forum.
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Nobody is known to have ever acquired HIV from an eent like this, or from being served by an HIV infected barber. No risk at all and you don't need testing.
Yes, you are overreacting. This is your third question on the forum, all about potential exposures that carry no risk of HIV -- and that most people understand are not risky. To avoid HIV the rest of your life, you need to not have unprotected sex with new, unknown, or potentially risky partner; and not share drug injection equipment with anyone else. That's all. There are no other personal contacts with other people that will put you at risk. I suggest you not waste your money on this forum (or anywhere else) about any other kinds of possible exposure. The answer will always be the same.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD