[Question #7953] HIV Risk - cuts in bathroom
50 months ago
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Hi Doctor,
My dear friend and housemate found out last week that he is HIV positive. We share a bathroom and living space. We’re just friends and have never engaged in an sexual activity.
Following the news and given that I have recently entered an open relationship, I went for a STD/HIV test and started Prep.
I’m slightly concerned as, on the morning he told me, I’d used the bathroom after him and I realised later that I have cuts on the base of my foot (I’d cut them on rocks at the beach the day before using the bathroom and him sharing the news) and I stood on our (potentially wet) bathmat that he had stood on before.
Given that he’d used the bathroom and stood on the bath mat before me (I’m unsure if he had any cuts), is there any risk of me contracting HIV through the cuts on my foot and using the bathmat/bathtub?
I’m also concerned as I’m now 4 days into using Prep and I’m worried I could’ve just contracted HIV in the bathroom prior to starting the medication, therefore any negative test I get at my next prep check up could be inaccurate?
Looking forward to your response.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
50 months ago
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50 months ago
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Thanks for getting back to me Dr Hook. You’re absolutely right regarding the support - it’s a difficult time for him and I want to be there for him as much as possible. He’s just got back from his follow up appointment where the nurse said his viral loads is already pretty low - which is good!
As you can tell, I’ve previously suffered with sexual health related anxiety and this has triggered things.
Just a few questions to ensure I don’t panic in future:
There was at least 5 minutes between him using the bathroom and myself using the bathroom. I’m of the understanding that within this time, any fluid would’ve become non-infectious. Is this correct and would this have happened within seconds?
In terms of the cut on my foot, I don’t believe I was bleeding - in fact I only noticed the marks a few days ago and put the pieces together as to where these came from. These are nothing that caused any major pain or required stitches. can you outline what would be the requirements for a risky cut? Is this typically something that requires medical attention in these scenarios? Also, given there was a day apart, do you think my cut would have already formed a protective layer?
Wet vs. Dry - I’ve read that HIV needs to dry out before it dies - I’m guessing HIV doesn’t survive in either wet or dry environments?
I also found some great quotes from your buddy Dr HH:
‘Here is ALL you need to know to go a lifetime without cacthing HIV: Choose your sex partners wisely; use condoms for vaginal or anal sex with new or non-monogamous partners; and do not share drug injection equipment with anybody. Do these and there is NO CHANCE you will ever catch HIV. You should not need to spend good money to keep returning with questions with such obvious answers!’
‘Don't have unsafe sex with non-monogamous partners and don't share drug injection equipment with other persons. Disregard any and all other fears of transmission risk.’
I suppose these apply to this situation too?
I will have a think if any other questions come to mind.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
50 months ago
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50 months ago
|
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
50 months ago
|