[Question #8604] Potential HIV Exposure?
 |
42 months ago
|
Hello, I’m worried about a potential HIV exposure. I’m sitting down on a lounge chair leaning over, wearing shorts and underwear but currently have an HSV1 outbreak in the rectal area. The server who was bringing food’s crotch was approximately less than one foot away from me for several minutes and based on demographics is at a higher risk because we know he is a MSM. Can you get HIV from this potential exposure? How is HIV transmitted?
 |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
42 months ago
|
Welcome to our firm and thanks for your question. I’ll be glad to comment.
HIV is actually harder to transmit/acquire that most people think. HIV is only transmitted by direct sexual contact or injection of infected material deep into tissue. The virus is quite fragile and becomes non-infectious almost immediately after exposure to air or the environment. There are no instances in which HIV has been transmitted through contact with contaminated environmental surfaces including countertops, toilet seats, or from sharing eating utensils or glasses.
--- |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
42 months ago
|
Apologies, hit submit reply to quickly:
To continue my response, even when persons have direct sexual contact with an infected person transmission is relatively infrequent, occurring only one out of 1000 times (0.01% of exposures). with direct penile vaginal contact and only slightly more frequently with rectal sex.
---The event that you describe above in no way placed you had any risk whatsoever in even if your server happened to HIV infected. There is no reason for concern and no reason for testing.
I hope this information is helpful. If any part of my reply is unclear or there additional questions please don’t hesitate to use your up to two follow ups for clarification. EWH