[Question #2157] Dr hunter (HIV ,hep environment )retainer use,dentist ,gloves,tray and gauze

95 months ago

Dear doctor hunter I am writing to you with low confidence or this is all reality

Things I have read which should disregard anything I say . Dr hunter you have mentioned that you cannot get HIV or hepatitis in environment . I am assuming it means nobody gets HIV or hep once it's outside the human body . On floor or objects and cuts . I have read dr Ed hook mentioned you cannot get HIV or hep form In animate objects .

I want to know if these conditions apply to me I am looking for your expert help

I have 3 main questions on dental retainers used daily , and visiting dentists and glove use gauze ban aids and objects

1) My son uses dental retainers every day they are removed during eating time or simply when he just becomes lazy and forgets to wear them again . dental retainers they are made of plastic and they keep your teeth in once place for months . After you are done with braces . My worry is sometimes keeping retainers on surfaces such as tables , floors , sinks and not washing them sometimes and applying them into the mouth . I'm worried if he gets a any unknown fluid of hep or HIV from tables or floors and when he applied it he gets a slight pinch in back of the gum where his wisdom tooth is

Does a minor cut or pinch in the gum cause hiv or hep from the retainer(object) or cut is not a way for hiv or hep to enter ? And hep and HIV were outside the body so it doesn't count which surface he kept the retainer ?

2) I have questions visiting dentist . Dentist tools are solid and not hollow so although they do clean them even if well they forget or anything due to human error . Does it count I failed to check the sterilisation . Because it's solid object not a needle and they sometimes use a drill to clean the gums no risk for HIV or hep as it's outside the body ? And not in needle

3) What about gloves and the tray where they keep dental tools before starting gum cleaning they cannot contaiminate dental tools ? . My dentist uses his gloves to install the solid object on a dental drill to clean gums no HIV or hep can be on his gloves this doesn't count because HIV or hep is outside the. Body ? Or tool kept on contaminated tray ?

I have some other questions on blood draw usage of nurse gloves touching band aids and gauze from table or from her gloves also which you have also said it doesn't matter for HIV or hep because it's environment (outside the body ) and gauze on needle wound doesn't transmit HIV or hep . It can be dripping with blood and won't matter correct here ? By no means I did that I just don't remember if it was clean or not

Nothing was immediate or in hollow needle everything was out in the open so no risk for anything ? It's all indirect . Thank you me and my son Won't be the first to get HIV or hep this way and is there hep risk for him to use dental retainers daily regardless of his gum condition if he cuts his gum with the retainers he use and also HIV or hep would be outside the body and is it safe to have gum cleaning at the dentist ?and no risk from gauze also on needle site ?

95 months ago

Just to add , i was unable to find information on this forum because search bar is unfortunately doesn't work very well . I type a key word and all I get is spinning load sign . And I can't go back to many times to past questions because they reset and bring me back to home page it must be a bug or something wrong with my computer . But I took information some on health tap from you . Buy doctor will you please help me out

Edward W. Hook M.D.

95 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. As you probably know, clients on this site are not permitted to request who responds to their questions. All questions regarding herpes go to Ms. Warren and Dr. Handsfield and I split all other questions. As it happened, today I happened to pick up your question. As an FYI, having worked closely for more than 35 years, Dr. Handsfield and I never disagree on the content of our replies although our verbal styles vary. I will be addressing this question.

Also I apologize for your problems with our search function, we are aware of the problem and working on improving it. I will pass your comment on to the people who support the site,

When you say "nobody gets HIV or hep once it's outside the human body . On floor or objects and cuts . I have read dr Ed hook mentioned you cannot get HIV or hep form In animate objects." you are correct with the exception of blood contained in needles that are directly injected deep into tissue.

As for your specific questions:

1. "Does a minor cut or pinch in the gum cause hiv or hep from the retainer(object) or cut is not a way for hiv or hep to enter ? And hep and HIV were outside the body so it doesn't count which surface he kept the retainer ?" This is not a risk for HIV or hepatitis B for the reasons mentioned above. We have had these questions before and the answer is unchanged. There are no reports of anyone becoming infected in this way

2. "Dentist tools are solid and not hollow so although they do clean them even if well they forget or anything due to human error . Does it count I failed to check the sterilisation . Because it's solid object not a needle and they sometimes use a drill to clean the gums no risk for HIV or hep as it's outside the body?" Correct here as well. Hopefully the dentist will clean there tools carefully but there are no known risks for HIV or hepatitis from improperly cleaned dental tools and are no reports of infection occurring in this way. I would not worry.

3. Dental tools and gloves touching a possibly contaminated the tray on which they are held are not a known risk for HIV or hepatitis B and there are no reports of infection occurring in this manner. As an FYI, I should mention that dentists wear gloves o protect themselves from their patients because the dentist are at risk, not to protect patients since there is no known risk to patients in properly performed dentistry.

I hope my comments are helpful to you. EWH

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95 months ago

Dear doctor all of this is just fine I think it's fine I just want you to see the plastic dental retainer

I will type this again as referral for my peace of mind :nobody gets HIV or hep outside from objects outside the body besides needle . Hep b and c I meant you mention hep b I'm sure your referred to hep c also and any other stds or blood infections correct ?

The dental retainers are used they a anything outside the body simply doesn't count correct for reasons above . Hep b,c and HIV correct ? Would you like the link of the retainer or you know what they and these retainers are no worries because there is no hollow needle and any fluids for HIV or hep b and c or other stds outside the body will not count correct ? And gum sores don't matter ? (No Sex or needle = risk free for HIV or hep ) enjoy the retainers ?

http://www.clearpathdental.com/clear-braces.php

2) dental tools are outside the body not hollow forget about HIV or hep c/b Or other stds correct ?

3) gloves and trays where tools are kept nothing to worry again as everything is outside the body for HIV or hep c or other stds if they forget to change glove or trays where tools are kept and touching tool with glove even if it had HIV or hep blood it won't matter as everything will be non infectious correct ?

4) I don't think that dentist can pric himself with solid object during gum cleaning that I don't think can happen on the solid tool when cleaning the gums . But it still won't matter because we'll nothing is introduced into the gums and even if he didn't notice the dental drill scratches his finger and my dentist has HIV or hep and then applies the drill on my gums it won't infect you this way also ? Because it's all outside on solid object the body and gums won't allow anything in nothing is injected ? . It is I believe far stretched but worse case scenario

5) when going for blood draw nothing to worry if nurse touched desk if it had HIV or hep blood and then picked up a gauze she cannot contaminate gauze , or band aid from her gloves because there is no HIV or hep outside the body correct ?

6applying a gauze or band aid on needle site is also no risk as it doesn't inject anything into the body . But more importantly everything is outside the body so no risk no worry correct ?

7eyes and nose fluids going into do not cause hiv or hep .my son has a habit of nose picking he recently put a straw in his nose at Mc Donald's . Still nothing to worry about as HIV or hep is outside the body nothing exsists correct ? For reasons above no sex or needle so nothing to worry for hep and HIV . I read your questions on “ martial arts” that eyes and. Nose have never been a route to HIV or hep so please do not worry for all practical purpose you cannot get HIV or hep from fluids or objects into nose or eyes I am totally fine here ? Same view as above you cannot get HIV or hep because no sex or needle has been used

Thank you dr hook

95 months ago

The worry is officially over ?

95 months ago

I think the answer is simple what hunter handsfeild writes every time that HIV or heb outside the body should be disregarded and well you have said the same thing dr hook soo well I read the question on nose also of martial arts so no worries of nose or eyes just simply forget only therotical and not proven .

Just stick to what doctor hunter says no sex and don't drugs and you won't get HIV or hep b or c . Please have a look at dentail retainers your answer simply won't change I would love it , and gauze and tray are irrelevant and so is eyes and so is eyes and nose exposure

Edward W. Hook M.D.

95 months ago

Sigh. I know what a dental retainer is! Your question is repetitive and perhaps in my effort to be complete I have given you more information than you can handle. Dental retainers, no matter where they have been before they put in the mouth are NOT a risk factor for HIV or other STIs. You should disregard possible exposures which occur outside of your body.

Brief answers that you have already received:

2. Correct

3. Correct

4. Correct- this is a silly scenario

5. Correct

6. Correct

7, Correct

You need to stop worrying. EWH

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95 months ago

Dear dr Ed hook thank you taking out this time I notice when you say sigh it's obvious that you are saying why doesn't she understand I think I have gotton all of my answers I just need you to add a few words for my peace of mind as one parent to another I am sure you realise how parents can worry and I made a mistake just going on health tap forum but I found dr hunter handsfeild which being backed a lot peice of mind and common sense

I am not going to bomb you with questions so I'll keep just simple with this

1)When you say : dental retainers no matter where they have been before they put in the mouth are not a risk for HIV or other stis . Just to add when you say " Sti"they include hepatitis c and b also correct ?

2) they are clear path aligners and metal retainers also I am sure you took these factors into consideration also that his gums get pinched or sometimes when he applies them and still does. Not matter because heptatis c and HIV outside the body just doesn't matter correct ?

For my peace of mind and and as worried parent can you type these words so that from now on he can enjoy his retainers and clear path aligners at school when he takes this off and I don't worry

“Clear path aligners or metal retainers when you put them in your mouth are no risk for HIV or hepatitis C or b or other stds regardless of my sons gum conditions getting pinched by it or getting a small cut just doesn't matter . And for all practical purpose do not worry about where Clear path aligners are kept because HIV or hepatitis c because these virus would non infectious outside and contact with HIV ,hepatitis b /c or other stds outside the body are not known to happen “

Please do add this word : enjoy the clear path aligners and do not worry about hepatitis c ,b HIV or and other std that would do me a world of good

can you type this for me and add your own thoughts that is all

3) doctor these dental retainers are worn by millions of people also still there have never been a case of HIV or hepatitis b or c by wearing clear path aligner or dental retainers correct here ?

4) bottom line enjoy the dental retainers /clear path aligner and do not worry about exposure outside the body for hepatis c , b HIV and other stds ?

5)Can you just focus on hepatitis c outside the body also doesn't matter and when I wrote about the gauze issue I was also mentioning hepatitis c no risk of hepatitis c from gauze also and eye and nose for HIV and hepatitis should be forgotten correct ?

6) main question over all : do not worry about HIV or hepatitis c ,b ,d or other stds/stis contact from outside the body and contact from outside the body except needle should be forgotten and disregard? You said the Same thing I just added hepatitis c or b HIV and other stds to it that's all

7) do not have unknown sex or drug use needle and my son will never get HIV or hepatitis c or b or other std/stis for the rest of his life ?

8) just to add hepatitis D can only occur if hepatitis B is present correct ? And there is no risk of hepatitis D outside body if I am wrong

Thank you for generous time dr hook . Will you ever be on Heath tap forum in future? Dr hunter handsfeild was there and thank you for saying to me not to worry it was nice of you but helping me to understand as a worried parent is there is anything you need to change you can and just let me know . This is the final reply so some words from you further on dental retainers would be helpful and HIV or hepatitis c or b outside the body should be forgotten

but can you just tell me as a worried parent just to enjoy the dental retainers and not worry for my son and you took gum cuts into consideration in especially worried for hepatitis c but I think you have answered just slight change in words dr Ed hook . please add a few words on this and pay no attention to visiting dentist I am not taking my son for unless a year so it's okay it's just the retainers and one on gauze and for eyes and nose you have given the answer

This could be my night to stop the worry and my son is fine please add a few words

Wish you the best may god have his blessings upon you and your family

95 months ago

Just do add these words in your final statement : " contact with HIV , hepatitis b,c,d should be disregarded from objects ,cuts from outside the body unless fluids are in the syringe "thank you And then you may add your own thought

It was the last post so that's why I wanted to make the most out of it thank you and bless you

95 months ago

9)Just crucial point which will kill any other worry also : when you say you should disregard possible exposures from outside the body that's means HIV ,hepatitis c or b or other stds from outside the body on objects and cuts etc just forget it that's what you meant correct ? Please add this as question 9 which you said anything outside the body just simple disregard it This was crucial what you said so please do add these extra words just again thanks I will know you responded to this when you mention these words "disregard HIV hepatitis or other stds outside the body "

Edward W. Hook M.D.

95 months ago

Final Answers:

1. Correct

2. Correct.

Please do add this word : enjoy the clear path aligners and do not worry about hepatitis c ,b HIV or and other std that would do me a world of good

3. Correct

4. Correct

5. Correct

6. Correct

7. It is an oversimplification. You can, obviously, get these infections from person who you know. The facts you mention are the facts that put people at highest risk for these infections.

8. Correct

This thread is now over. Your questions have been repetitive, anxiety-driven and have not honored the intent of this Forum.

Please note that the forum does not permit repeated anxiety driven questions by the same users. This will have to be your last one; future new questions on this topic will be deleted without reply and without refund of your posting fee. This policy is based on compassion, not criticism, and is designed to reduce temptations to keep paying for questions with obvious answers; because experience shows that continued answers tends to simply prolong such anxieties, when the real answer normally should be professional counseling; and because such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main purposes. I trust you will understand. EWH

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