[Question #9672] Hiv survival on blood dops
30 months ago
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Hello Doctors
i faced a scenario that when I received my clothes from the laundry. I found some few blood drops on my clothes. The blood wasn’t mine , it was from the laundry man. So I didn’t wear all the rest of my clothes and still didn’t touch my wardrobe because it’s were the clothes and I’m afraid some blood did touch the wardrobe and be on it so I’m avoiding touching it.
Mentioning The blood was dry totally.
I have been to some of your answers for same my topic survival of hiv virus on dry-blood.
And you were mentioning that when the blood become dry , is no longer infectious and the hiv virus will die.
My inquiries is about some sources saying that even the blood is dry it still infectious for 7 days and sometimes to 42 days ? That made me worry alot and being confused that which one is based since and medical evidence
Q1- Can the hiv virus survive for 42 days on the dry blood ?
Q-2 why some says 6 days and some says 42 days ?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
30 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.
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I understand your reaction: there's certainly a "yuck" factor when exposed to someone else's blood or other body fluids. However, there was no risk of HIV (or other blood borne infection). It is true that there is zero risk from exposure to completely dry blood. As for how long HIV might survive, remember that anybody can post anything they want online; many who post such information are passing on their own assumptions, guesses, or misunderstandings. But the fact is that most experts understand that HIV is rapidly inactivated as blood dries, whether a few minutes or a day or two (e.g. in a moist environment). And air exposure also is believed to kill HIV as well. There actually hasn't been much research on the exact speed of virus inactivation, because it doesn't matter: in the 40+ years of the recognized worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic, not a single person has been known to be infected by contact with blood or body fluids in the environment. Since it doesn't happen, the biological reasons really aren't important.
Those comments cover both your questions, but to assure no misunderstanding:
Q1: No, absolutely impossible even after a few minutes; even if the blood still were wet and you were in direct contact with it, there would have been no chance you could have been infected.
Q2: See above.
Presumably by now you have re-laundered your clothing. That's all you should do. No worries and definitely no need for you to be tested!
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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30 months ago
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Thanks Doctor for all the answers and explanations.
Regarding your answer “ Q1: No, absolutely impossible even after a few minutes; ”
By that answer you mean that it’s impossible the hiv virus still infectious in a dried blood after 42 days ?
Q- now it’s 50 days so even if there was few dry-blood drops somewhere for sure the hiv virus will be dead and not active anymore on the blood ?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
30 months ago
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"you mean that it’s impossible the hiv virus still infectious in a dried blood after 42 days ?" Yes. that's what I mean. It would be impossible within a few minutes, and forever after that.
"now it's 50 days....?" Also correct.
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30 months ago
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Thanks for all Doctor
My last follow up question is about..
I read that hiv virus doesn’t do well in water.
Q1- if I applied only water on the blood marks or blood drops, will that alone will inactive and kill the hiv virus ?
Q2- you said Yes. that's what I mean. It would be impossible within a few minutes, and forever after that.
You are meaning with “few minutes”, that the virus will be dead and non-infectious after only few minutes not longer like few days ?
Sorry for that Doctor i just want to be sure that i’m understanding it right because my English is not that good
And thank you for all again
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
30 months ago
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Q1. If the blood had already dried, HIV (if present) was already dead. With still wet blood, the water might or might not kill it. No such research has been done.
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Q2. Yes, that's what I mean.
But you're missing the main point. NOBODY HAS EVER CAUGHT HIV FROM CONTACT WITH BLOOD IN THE ENVIRONMENT, i.e contamination day to day objects, surfaces, laundry etc. THE BIOLOGICAL REASONS, LIKE HOW QUICKLY HIV DIES, DO NOT MATTER! You are at zero risk of HIV from the apparent blood on your laundry.
That concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.