[Question #6345] No risk assesments - gender neutral?

68 months ago

Good morning, thanks so much for all the work you do on this forum, it is very informative and it helps a lot with educating the public about the real risks as opposed to the myths. Given our recent interaction I was able to further develop my relationship with my HIV positive friend and we are closer than even before his diagnosis. I have you to thank for this as I believe had I continued with the misinformation found online and my unwarranted fears, I would have distanced myself from him.

Now I do have an additional question that is more of a general question with no further questions on my part to cascade: when you say there is no risk from indirect exposure (pet scratches on him and then me, shaking hands with cuts on his hands and mine, sharing utensils or drinks with sore or cuts and lips), the no risk assessment applies to both males and females, right? There is no difference who is the one ‘exposed’ (me, my girlfriend, my brother, my mom, my 3 yr old nephew, etc.)?

The reason I ask is because:

1) Someone told me that women catch it easier than men ( i wonder if they have a different immune system or what)?

2) I plan on including my hiv positive friend in my family events more, since he doesn’t have family in town and especially now with the holidays coming.

Sorry if my question seems naive, but just part of my education on the topic and others probably wonder the same thing. I did search on this before and could not find anything so just wanted to ask you.

Thanks

68 months ago

Sorry forgot to add, assuming that in those indirect exposures there is small blood quantity transfer from him (scratch or cut) to me or my gf/mother/brother’s scratch or cut.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

68 months ago

I'm sorry you found it necessary to return, especially after my closing comment in your second of two threads two weeks ago:

Please note that repeated anxiety driven quesitons are not permitted. This being your second about these issues, it will be your last: any more will be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. Do your best to move on without further worry about this.

They call certain infections, including HIV, sexually transmitted for good reason! With exceedingly rare exceptions, no sex means no risk. In the case of HIV or certain others (e.g. hepatitis B), there is also risk from intimate blood exposure. But not from day to day, non-intimate contact.

Your statement is correct that "There is no difference who is the one ‘exposed’ (me, my girlfriend, my brother, my mom, my 3 yr old nephew, etc.)?". Thirty years of research ane experience shows no increased risk of HIV in the household contacts of HIV infected people, no matter their age, and despite years of sharing the same toilets, kitchens, disware, beds, etc (assuming they aren't also sex partners of the infected person).

1) Women are at higher risk through sex than men are because infected fluids can be deposited deep in the body (the vagina); and female genital tissues, being moist and with thin surfaces, are more susceptible to some infections. No sex still means no risk!

2) I'm glad to hear of these plans. Please follow through, and please don't worry about catching HIV in this setting. There really isn't any risk.

HHH, MD

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68 months ago

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks so much for your responses. Happy holidays to you and yours!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

68 months ago

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped. And thanks for your gracious, enlightened attitude toward your HIV infected friend.---

68 months ago

Dr, I noticed I had a reply available so might as well take advantage of it. We are going to a cottage and we’ll be sharing the hot tub there. Still no risk, even if, for argument’s sake, my hiv positive friend has a cut or sore on his body that bleeds a bit into the hot tub water and we have cuts or sores on our bodies that might get in contact with his blood?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

68 months ago

Correct, no risk. Both dilution of any blood or wound secretions and the disinfectants routine in spas and hot tubs would prevent any chance of transmission. There has never been a known or even suspected case of HIV or STD transmission from such an exposure (not counting events when people had sex in a spa!).

I hope the discussion has been helpful. But for the reason cited above, this definitely will have to be your last forum question along these lines. Thanks for your understanding. Happy holidays!

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