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Can HIV Survive On The Barber Razor Which Was Closed For 5 Minutes And Then Infect Others ?

Posted on Mon, 17 Feb 2025

Question: Sir, my son is of 1 year and 8 months was having mundan ceremony in the temple. We took new barber razor to shave his hairs on head. The barber did it for sometime and took a break because my son cried a lot. Then after the break of about 5 minutes he again shaved the hair of my son. But after the break I couldn't observe whether he shaved with our new razor or with any old one which might be with him. After asking him he told that he did it with our razor but suppose in the worst case he used any old barber razor then can HIV infect in this way ????
Can HIV survive on the barber razor which was closed(without open air) for 5 minutes and then infect others ????

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stay confident

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,

After going through the story, in my opinion, it is extremely unlikely for acquiring HIV infection through this(almost impossible). Firstly, there is no reason for the barber to change the razor in between. Secondly, even if it was changed, chance of soiling with significant amount of blood/body fluids is very less here. Also, since all are children, chance of any other clients being positive for HIV also is very less

In short, there is no reason to worry here- just be relaxed

I hope this answer will help
Let me know if I can assist you further
Dr Muhammed Aslam, Paediatrician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (9 hours later)

Thank you.... thank you and thank you so much sir. Sir, there were some cuts by that razor on my son's head during that shaving. It was increased my worries....

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I understand your concern
But, as I mentioned earlier, the circumstances do not suggest any such possibility. Just forget the incident and be relaxed
Hope I have answered your query
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Wishing you good health

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (36 hours later)

Yes sir,
Actually I doubted because I thought that the blood of any other person might be on the razor and the barber might have closed that razor(as I attached a sample pic) so the HIV(if any) might not died due to not exposure to the environment so might remain infectious.
So I disturbed U....

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Still no reason to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I understand your concern

See, even after sharing soiled razor from a HIV positive individual and suffering a deep prick with it, the chance of getting HIV infected is very low(0.23% to be precise).

But, in our case, chance of another child being HIV positive is less; Even if there was one, chance of razor sharing is less; Even if it was shared, there was no major wound with bleeding- so you can imagine how impossible it is for our kid to be infected.

For may things in our day to day life, there is a remote possibilty of some unwanted effects- like chance of accident while driving a car- if you ask whether there is any chance of accident, yes, there is ; but will you be over worried about this?- absolutely no.

So just be relaxed
Nothing to worry
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana