[Question #9084] Blood and hiv

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36 months ago
I got on the bus and the driver gave me change.  Then I went to the mall.  I opened the refrigerator, bought cola and water, made my payment.  then i saw red spots on my fingertips.  There was a small wound for a day or two on the edge of the nail.  blood was not flowing.  .there may have been blood in that wound.  I may have touched it. I don't remember if the blood came from the bus driver or from the market.  If blood comes to my wound after 30-60 seconds.  Will it be hiv?  my second question.  I went to the cafe with my daughter.  The waitress had razor cuts on her arm.  but blood was not flowing.  the waiter gave my daughter a karaoke microphone and a coke.  If my daughter has a wound, will she get HIV this way?  We need need a test?    Hiv test and hepatitis c. Thank you
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36 months ago
I had pulled the skin off the top of my nail.  It wasn't bleeding, but it was red and had a small cut.  .  , as much as the exclamation mark I wrote here!  .  There may have been blood on it, but I don't know how much it was.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
36 months ago
Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your questions.  I’ll be glad to comment.  My sense is that you are more worried about HIV brisk than you need to be.  Most people do not have HIV and when persons have untreated HIV (effective HIV treatment makes the person non-infectious) there are NO exposure, including sexual and direct injection of infectious material, that result in infection in more than 1% of exposed persons.

The sorts of casual, non-penetrative exposures you describe are virtually no risk events.  HIV becomes non-infectious upon exposure to the environment outside of the body and is not transmitted by transfer of infectious material, including blood on a person’s hands.  Recent Cuts and scrapes, whether actively bleeding or not, do not change this. The event you describe raise no concern for acquisition of HIV. I see no medical or scientific reason for testing or continue concern. 

I hope this information is helpful to you. EWH 
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36 months ago
Ok thanks dr. İ understand that me and my daughter no in risk and no need test. Thanks you. 
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36 months ago
Last kne dr. If i  touch the blood on my finger, if I touch that little wound and cut, if I play, it's like a massage.  Does it increase the chance of contracting HIV?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
36 months ago
No, even if you touch the blood with your finger which has a scratch or a cut on it this does not change your risk for HIV. I still consider this a virtually no risk event with no need for testing. EWH---
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36 months ago
Even if the time is less than 30-60 seconds, you think the same. I don't remember exactly when I touched.... this is last thanks...I learned with your help all. thanks
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
36 months ago
Final answer.  Yes, irrespective of the timing.  Still a virtually no risk event. 

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients questions. This is my third response. Therefore, this thread will be close shortly without further responses. Take care. Please don’t worry. EWH
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
36 months ago
Just one small addition. As I said in my initial response, I sincerely believe you are worrying entirely too much about the risk of acquiring HIV. EWH---
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36 months ago
thanks for help
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36 months ago
this a virtually no risk event. what means  its mean little risk or in theory risk
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36 months ago
dear dr ı ask my daughter need hıv or hepatitis c test. you only told me no need hıc test.  what about hepatitits c pls 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
36 months ago
As you know, we provide up to three answers to each client's questions- this is my 4th response which will complete the thread.  The thread will then be closed without further responses.

The events you describe are also no risk events for hepatitis C.  

Also, you are correct- that a virtually no risk event means that any perceived risk is theoretical.  This is the case that, although there is a theoretical risk, there is virtually no risk that you will be struck by a meteorite falling from space while you are reading this reply.  There is no meaningful risk.  Please don't worry.  EWH
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