[Question #9437] Hiv from blood on the surfaces
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32 months ago
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Hello Doctor
Hopes you’re doing well
My main concern is about getting Hiv from dry blood on any surfaces by touching the blood. I start to worry about it
1- can you get hiv from touching a dry hiv blood on any surface?
2- when the blood become dry like after 2 days, does it still infectious specially for hiv or it’s not longer infectious since it’s dry?
3- is applying only water will make the hiv blood not infectious any more ?
4- should i be worry if i’m having a very small cut in my finger ?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I'll be glad to comment. HIV is less easily transmitted than many people think. It is realistically transmitted ONLY by penetrative sexual contact or injection of infected material deep into tissue. Inadvertent contact with surfaces contaminated with blood or secretions frm untreated, infected persons virtually never lead to infection. Thus, in reply to your specific questions:
1- can you get hiv from touching a dry hiv blood on any surface?
No, HIV becomes non-infectious almost immediately upon contact with the air.
2- when the blood become dry like after 2 days, does it still infectious specially for hiv or it’s not longer infectious since it’s dry?
No, see above
3- is applying only water will make the hiv blood not infectious any more ?
No, once the virus is non-infectious, it cannot be revived
4- should i be worry if i’m having a very small cut in my finger ?
No, cuts and scrapes seal off almost immediately and do not represent a meaningful risk for acquistion of infection.
I hope this information is helpful. EWH
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32 months ago
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Thank you Dr for you reply
Doctor by saying “No, HIV becomes non-infectious almost immediately upon contact with the air.” Is that even if it was an infected blood ??
I did read on the internet that the dry blood will still be infectious for 6 days ? Is that correct ? specially for hiv ?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
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Once again, HIV becomes non-infectious almost immediately upon exposure to the air/environment.
We urge clients not to seek information from the internet. Much of what is there is incorrect, either because it is out of date, taken out of context, or just plain wrong. EWH
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32 months ago
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Thank you Dr
Regarding saying “exposure to the air/environment.” Is that include bedroom and cars because after I touched the surface i used my car ?
And last thing Doctor ,
By washing the infected blood with water. will water make the infected blood inactive ?
Thank you for all the reply
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
32 months ago
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This is a repetitive question. Yes, the word environment includes the environment in a bedroom or in a car. Touching blood or secretions on the surface of a bed, in the bedroom, or in the car, irrespective of whether it is wet or dry is a no risk of it. Even if you have a cut or scrape on your hand when you touch it!!!
Yes, washing with water would only further inactivate HIV.
I understand that you may be nervous about a possible exposure however, nothing you describe and none of your questions suggest that you are at any risk whatsoever. I see no reason for concern and no reason for testing. Please don’t worry.
This response completes this thread which will be closed shortly. Again, please don’t worry. EWH
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