Sorry if this is a strange question. I think I know the answer, but just wanted to confirm. My 3 children and I were at a restaurant the other day. My youngest was sitting at the table already and as I turned around to help others-he was left on his own for about a minute. When I turned back to him, I saw him eating something from the table. A took it from him and realised it was a scab from someone's wound. Gross. It was in his mouth, I think, and also touched little scrapes/wounds on his hands from earlier. 

No one was sitting at our table for at least 30-40 minutes and the scab was very dry (I asked the waitress when the last customer was sitting there).

We immediately proceeded to wash his hands with antibacterial soap again. 

I am upset , of course, that the table was not properly taken care of, but there is nothing I can do now. I have read on the internet about deceases he could pick up with that scab and came across information about HIV. 

Should I be worried that he may get HIV that way? Common sense says now, but a mother's heart is still worrying. If not too much trouble, can you please explain why not (if that is the case). I know no one probably got infected that way in 30 years, but is it still possible? Thank you greatly. 

 

Welcome to the Forum.  I understand that when it comes to the health of our children, things may become extra worrisome.  The events you describe we no risk for acquisition of HIV.  the most important reason for this is that HIV cannot be acquired through ingestion of infected material- the virus would not survive in the stomach to cause infection.  In addition to this fact, please remember that you do not know that the scab came from a person with HIV and that the virus quickly becomes non-infectious when exposed to drying and the environment outside of the body.  Similarly, there is no risk from your son rubbing his eyes after touching the table or scab as well.

Please don't worry about this event- it did not put you son at risk for HIV or other blood borne infection.  EWH