[Question #5771] Cuts and scrapes

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72 months ago
Hello and good morning doctor. I got cut with a plastic sheet of a spiral bound book in a book shop. I dont know who handled the book before me, but i am afraid it might have cut somebody else before me and i dont know if the sharp-pokey edge of the plastic sheet had any infected fluid from the person who handled it before me. I have never panicked this way before, but this incident has provoked my worries of getting some STIs. Should I get myself tested? 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
72 months ago
Welcome to our forum and thanks for your questions.  It is my pleasure to tell you that there is no risk for acquisition of any STI from a puncture wound or cut acquired from the plastic sheet other inanimate objects such as stray wires, nails, etc.  There are no instances in which infection acquired in this way have been described.  In addition, the bacteria and viruses which are transmitted sexually quickly become non-infectious upon exposure to the environment where they are subject to drying as well as differences in humidity and temperature found outside of the body.  This was a no risk event!  There is no need for concern and no need for testing of any sort.

I hope that this information is helpful to you.   EWH
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