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What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Skin Contact?

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Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015
Question: I had a meeting with a possible HIV client. (I did not know at the time). I went to the bathroom after and discovered my tampon was stuck very high inside me. I reached in and got it. My concern is, I may have accidentally touched a fluid
on a desk without even realizing it. I probably ran my hands under water, but I honestly cannot remember. is there a risk here? should I get tested for this exposure?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You need not get tested as infection with HIV is unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. Your concern about HIV is understandable. I assure you that you will never get HIV from the incident mentioned above.

2. HIV is a fragile virus and cannot stay alive by itself for more than few seconds or a minute. In this way, considering that you had touched some fluid, the HIV virus would have got destroyed in no time and then it is unlikely that you will get HIV infection.

3. There is no need to get tested for the exposure.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (21 hours later)
thank you. I feel like every little ailment I have could be a symptom. so even if I did have some fluid on my hand (I don't think I did but we will just say I did) it would die, even if it was still in liquid form?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are due to stress related anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

The fluid in your hand did not contain viable viruses to cause infection. It was exposed to air for sufficient time and did not contain any live virus even if it was in liquid form as it got exposed to atmosphere and was destroyed.

Your symptoms might be due to stress related anxiety.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6873 Questions

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What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Skin Contact?

Brief Answer: You need not get tested as infection with HIV is unlikely Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Please find my observations below. 1. Your concern about HIV is understandable. I assure you that you will never get HIV from the incident mentioned above. 2. HIV is a fragile virus and cannot stay alive by itself for more than few seconds or a minute. In this way, considering that you had touched some fluid, the HIV virus would have got destroyed in no time and then it is unlikely that you will get HIV infection. 3. There is no need to get tested for the exposure. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek