[Question #1872] finger nails exposed to blood gateway to hiv?

89 months ago

good morning experts/Docotors

i have something which is to my eyes should me unwarranted and you can be some assistance

i helped a person who was actively bleeding. i got his blood on his hand it was okay i went into the nearest store(we were on the road) and washed my hands.

something just clicked inside my head just now .

my hands were safe can hiv blood if active can go under my finger nails ? and result in an hiv infection ?

can hiv blood if active go through under my nails which i think is call the nail bed or through my finger nails and give hiv ?

are my finger nails a gateway to hiv blood ?

any known transmission this way ?

any worry ?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

89 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. I'll be glad to comment. The events you describe represent NO RISK for HIV In the real world, HIV is transmitted in only two ways- through penetrative sexual contact or injection of infected material deep into tissue. Contact with infected material trhough touching, spillage, or casual contact has never been described as a cause of HIV infection. There is no theoretical reason for you to worry about possible infection, even if the blood you were in contact with was infected with HIV (which is unlikely- most people do not have HIV). There is no reason for concern and no reason for HIV testing related to the events you describe. EWH
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89 months ago

Thank you for the reply read it last night and slept with some relief you are correct on sex and injection is real risk . Dear dr now I just wish no know the biological reason behind the no risk event . Will like to ask specific question

I Am aware cannot go through intact skin but what about finger nails . Please provide information

QA ) my finger is dipped into hiv blood the skin protected it . But what about the finger nails can it go through or under my fingernails and give HIV ?

Qb) would intact finger nails perform the same way as your skin does and won't allow HIV blood to pass through and cause infection

Qc) if it can't go through fingernails what are the reasons ?

Qd) any infection known to occur where HIV blood went through or under fingernails

Qe) can HIV bass through finger nail ? Is this a gateway meaning access to blood stream .

What I expect from your gracious reply is that . Can HIV blood go through or under my fingernails I think the skin under the finger nail is called nail bed . But all I'm referring to is nails and nothing else (not handskin). And can HIV blood pass through them because I am aware skin protects me for but I have no idea about finger nails .

My question is solely based on nails and blood under the nails . can it go through or under fingernail . not on hand skin because I i am fully aware the HIV blood cannot penetrate handskin

Hope you understand the question and my English isn't that bad

Would love a reply

Edward W. Hook M.D.

89 months ago

Fingernails are a part of the skin and are impervious to blood, liquids and virus. This should be obvious. Masturbation with an HIV infected partner is considered by all experts to be no risk, safe sex despite the FACT that skin AND fingernails are exposed to genital secretions containing HIV. This should answer your question but to be more specific, see below:

QA ) my finger is dipped into hiv blood the skin protected it . But what about the finger nails can it go through or under my fingernails and give HIV ?

Qb) would intact finger nails perform the same way as your skin does and won't allow HIV blood to pass through and cause infection

Yes.

Qc) if it can't go through fingernails what are the reasons ?

See above, same as for skin

Qd) any infection known to occur where HIV blood went through or under fingernails

Qe) can HIV bass through finger nail ? Is this a gateway meaning access to blood stream .

No.

EWH

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89 months ago

Imprevious means not allowing fluids to pass I just saw that in dictionary ha best word I've searched so far you are on target !

You are correct doctor thank you .

Question ) Just for info if one was missing a fingernail completely and exposed to blood which didn't happen with me would it be a risk then ? Or The skin beneath the finger nail would still be strong enough and not let virus go through ?

Just so that I know in future I keep my nails intact ! Doctor . God be with you ! Good bye

Edward W. Hook M.D.

89 months ago

Final (third) answer.

The skin beneath a fingernail that had been damaged and fallen off would not be susceptibel to HIV either.

this thread will be closed later today. Further posts on this topic will not be answered and you will forfeit your payment. EWH

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