How Is HIV Infection Transmitted?

Posted on Thu, 27 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 Answered on

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I just had a chance meeting with a homeless individual. I didnt know he was homeless and shook his hand. Moments later i used the same hand to smoke a cigarette. I am concerned that i could have introduced some germs or disease from him into my mouth. Is this a real concern? I certainly didnt see him bleeding and see no cuts on my hand, but dont know if i could have some cuts in my mouth. He did look like a possible drug user but i thought nothing of it initially until he told me he was homeless and began asking for money.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not a concern

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You seem to be more anxious than you should be.
Every healthy person would have self defense and that is extremely good in fighting 90% of the germs or microbes. Doctors believe this works for all except for severely immune-compromised like HIV pts, people on certain high dose medications.

So you got to believe in your defense and move on.
Second most microbes that live on the skin and hands are not virulent to cause a disease. Even a person with average working immunity would be able to fight it better.

Third, this can be a lesson to avoid shaking hands with strangers instead greet with a smile. If you have to use hands wash hands before you use them with your mouth.

Hope this is helpful.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (24 minutes later)

Is transmission of an std even possible without hos blood entering my bloodstream? Thanks. I will heed the advice.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely STD transmits

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There is no sexual exposure for the std (sexually transmitted disease) to transmit. So remove the fear.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana