[Question #6656] Risk of HIV
66 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
66 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your question. I can only imagine how distressing it is to find that your towel had been potentially contaminated in this way. That said, I can assure you that despite your eczema and the vigor with which you dried yourself, even if the stain on the towel was HIV containing blood there would be no risk whatsoever for acquisition of HIV. I see no need for HIV testing and no need for you to abstain from unprotected sex with your wife. Similarly, there is no need for special precautions in taking care of your infant child.
HIV becomes non-infectious upon contact with the environment. Further, once on a towel the virus would likely remain attached to the fibers of the towel material. This was a no risk event for HIV or other STIs. EWH