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How Is HIV Transmitted?
Question: Asking mainly for my peace of mind. I recently had contact with a door handle/frame at a fast food restaurant while I had some small abrasions on one of my fingers (I've uploaded a picture of them as well). After opening the door, I noticed a homeless man outside, who may have used that same door as well; is it possible that any blood he may have left on the handle entered my system via the cuts on my finger?
I only ask because all the HIV resources I've seen talk about how infection is possible via infected liquids entering through open wounds, and I'd just like a definitive answer on what "open wounds" actually means and if my situation places me at any risk.
Thank you.
I only ask because all the HIV resources I've seen talk about how infection is possible via infected liquids entering through open wounds, and I'd just like a definitive answer on what "open wounds" actually means and if my situation places me at any risk.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
No chance.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Thank you for uploading the picture so I can evaluate better the significance of the abrasions in your finger.
From your description of the episode I am pretty sure that there was no exposure to HIV infection.
The abrasion in your finger is inconsiderable and even if the homeless man was HIV positive and he left considerable amount of blood/liquid in the handle ,the risk of get HIV for you is insignificant.
There is no single evidence that HIV can be transmitted by casual contact.
It can be transmitted if the subject is HIV positive and has a high viral load in his blood and his blood came in clear contact with the blood from a cut of a HIV negative subject.
Remember that to contract HIV is needed a clear contact (sexual,blood contact) with a known HIV positive subject to think about HIV infection and then get tested.In this way you can avoid to freak out with no reason in future.
I can assure you that there is no way you can contract HIV from the contact you described.
Don't think about it anymore and go ahead with your life.
Hope my answer has helped.
If you have any other question,please feel free to write me back,I will be happy to help.
Wish you all the best.
Dr.Rovena Murati
No chance.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Thank you for uploading the picture so I can evaluate better the significance of the abrasions in your finger.
From your description of the episode I am pretty sure that there was no exposure to HIV infection.
The abrasion in your finger is inconsiderable and even if the homeless man was HIV positive and he left considerable amount of blood/liquid in the handle ,the risk of get HIV for you is insignificant.
There is no single evidence that HIV can be transmitted by casual contact.
It can be transmitted if the subject is HIV positive and has a high viral load in his blood and his blood came in clear contact with the blood from a cut of a HIV negative subject.
Remember that to contract HIV is needed a clear contact (sexual,blood contact) with a known HIV positive subject to think about HIV infection and then get tested.In this way you can avoid to freak out with no reason in future.
I can assure you that there is no way you can contract HIV from the contact you described.
Don't think about it anymore and go ahead with your life.
Hope my answer has helped.
If you have any other question,please feel free to write me back,I will be happy to help.
Wish you all the best.
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Great, thank you so much for your answer! :)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
You are welcome!
If you don't have any other question or doubt that you want to clarify,you can close the discussion and please rate the answer.
Wish you all the best.
Dr.Rovena Murati
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
You are welcome!
If you don't have any other question or doubt that you want to clarify,you can close the discussion and please rate the answer.
Wish you all the best.
Dr.Rovena Murati
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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