Does Hepatitis B Positive Transmittable Thru Any Cut In Body?

Posted on Tue, 31 Jan 2023

Question: Hi doctor today a patient came into my clinic and he has shake hands with me..He was hepatitis B positive.He came for an ultrasound..I have small tiny paper cut in my right hand..Is there any chance of infection? If there is sweat or saliva in his hand and it came in contact with my cut while shaking hands?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Dear,
I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns but there is no need to worry as hepatitis B is transmitted basically through blood or body fluids and although the virus can be found in saliva but there is no evidence that it can be transmitted by getting in contact with saliva or sweat..
For your peace of mind , disinfect the wound with alcohol or detol and apply an antiviral ointment as acyclovir three times daily for three days.. I hope you find this helpful..
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (47 minutes later)

Dear Sir It happened in the morning and I thought that it can't be spread through hand shakes if it's the case half of population will become hep b ..I washed hands when I returned home 5 hours later..Do you think vaccination is needed in this case or should I just apply acyclovir ointment and forget this incident..

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No risk

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, hello again.. As I said there is no evidence that hepatitis B can be spread through hand shakes.. So washing your hands is probably enough to disinfect your wound.. if you are still worried then apply acyclovir and forget the incident.. I hope you find this helpful .
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (16 minutes later)

Thanks Sir I have one more question..This incidence happened 2 yrs back..I was performing HIV TRIDOT TEST..I never took sample from the patient..My assistant poured the serum sample into kit..I just poured the buffer and protein conjugate in kit..There was a cut on back side of my hand which happened as my bruised my hand in the table that morning..There was no bleeding just little skin came out and pink skin underneath was visible.So when I performed the test I poured the solutions in the kit in which serum was there..The buffer solution from bottle probably came in contact with my right hand which was used to pour buffer in kit..The sample was taken at 9 am morning and test was performed at 12pm..So in case if somehow serum touched the buffer bottle and got mixed with buffer solution and then it came in contact with cut on back side of my hand what are the chances of getting infected..Is it possible for HIV INFECTION TO SPREAD this way? The cut was like a paper cut on back of right hand..I unfortunately was not wearing gloves..Wat are your views..I know it's 2 yrs now and I can't do much now and I don't want to get tested..Wat are your views in terms of infection chances?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, hello again.. There is no need to worry as according to the way you are describing the incident then this is not enough inoculation to pass the infection to you.. However, I would recommend that you wear gloves while handling specimens to avoid any risk of infection.. I hope you find this helpful..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (1 hour later)

Dear Sir The sample was HIV 1 POSITIVE which was tested 2 yrs back..We also did blood group of the patient I never touched the blood I just watched the slide in front of blowing air conditioner..I hope there are no chances of infection describe d here and in previous question.. Thanks sir this is the last question.. Please revert asap..I will be obliged.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No chances of infection

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, as per described there are no chances of infection and there is no risk of HIV transmission.. I hope you find this helpful..

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng