[Question #994] eyes

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98 months ago
what is possibility of hiv through eyes.
1) if some amount of blood is  splashed or got into the eyes. should i be concerned?
2) did anybody got hiv through eyes ?
3)how much amount of blood is required for hiv transmission through eyes?/..i mean small or large amount of blood
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
98 months ago

Welcome to the Forum.  We get many questions of this sort which surprises me as the sort of exposure that you describe is effectively NOT associated with risk for HIV acquisition. This if you were somehow splashed with blood or genital secretions from a person with known HIV in and around your eyes, I would urge you not to be worried about it.  thus, to answer your specific questions:

1) if some amount of blood is  splashed or got into the eyes. should i be concerned?

No, I would not be worried


2) did anybody got hiv through eyes ?

Not to my knowledge


3)how much amount of blood is required for hiv transmission through eyes?/..i mean small or large amount of blood

Based on my answers above, the amount would not be important. 


I hope this information is helpful to you.  EWH

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98 months ago
Sir,
 1)I read from medhelp(dr. Hunder handsfield post)that blood getting into eyes poses hiv risk?.What do you say?

2)if I touch large amount of  blood contaminated surface with my bleeding wound ??Should I need to be concerned about hiv transmission?.did anybody got hiv from environment??
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
98 months ago

1.  The post you read was older and based on theory.  The fact is that there are no cases of HUMAN TO HUMAN transmission in this way.  There has been acquisition of HIV through eye contract when it occurred as a result of laboratory accidents in situations where there was far more virus present than occurs in normal human to human situations. 

2.  No, again while this might theoreticall7y lead to HIV and is something to be avoided (in the same way that theoretically you could be struck by lightening while reading this), in practical experience this has not led to infection.  This is because the virus is quite fragile and becomes non-infectious virtually immediately after leaving the body and in contact with the air or surfaces outside of the body.

My sense is that you are worrying about things that should not worry you.  HIV is almost entirely spread in humans through unprotected sexual contact or situations in which blood or other secretions are injected deep into tissue.  EWH

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98 months ago
I thank your.answers..you have been.doing a great service..finally question
1)
Is.your answer same  as above for hiv risk from contaminated clothes. I mean medium amount of blood contaminated clothes coming contact with mucous membranes or fresh wound??

Thank you

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
98 months ago

Yes, my answer would be the same.  Touching clothes that had been contaminated by blood or secretions from someone with HIV would not be a risk for infection. even if that clothing somehow came into contact with mucous membranes or a recent cut or wound.

This is my third response to your questions.  Therefore, as described in our guidelines, this thread will be closed later today.  EWH

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