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Is HIV Transmission Possible Through Vomit?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: Hi, I have a question about a potential HIV exposure. I recently was working with a patient who was HIV+ and had vomit on him. I wore gloves, a mask, but no eye protection. The patient was not actively vomiting when I was assisting him. However, I am still uneasy about potential transmission. Do you think I should be concerned?
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Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (29 minutes later)
Brief answer....explained below
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
There are only four body fluids which have enough concentration of HIV virus to transmit.
These are ...blood,semen,vaginal secretion and breast milk.
If any of these fluids go into eyes,then one can think of transmission of virus but again it is very rare as only very few cases have been documented so far.
Since in your case nothing of this sort has happened,apprehension regarding transmission of HIV virus is totally misplaced. 
Relax,forget it and enjoy.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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Is HIV Transmission Possible Through Vomit?

Brief answer....explained below Detailed answer... Hello, Thanks for the query. I have read your query and understand your concern. There are only four body fluids which have enough concentration of HIV virus to transmit. These are ...blood,semen,vaginal secretion and breast milk. If any of these fluids go into eyes,then one can think of transmission of virus but again it is very rare as only very few cases have been documented so far. Since in your case nothing of this sort has happened,apprehension regarding transmission of HIV virus is totally misplaced.  Relax,forget it and enjoy. I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks