POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: amplemethod on April 23, 2013, 10:32:30 am

Title: Should there be concern?
Post by: amplemethod on April 23, 2013, 10:32:30 am
Was exposed to several drops of blood on hand from someone with unknown HIV status. I also had a small cut near where blood was (and blood could have potentially contacted this cut) which was bleeding only several minutes or even less prior - it would have barely started healing at most. The source person tested negative 9 months prior but current status is unknown. Even if they were positive how likely is transmission in this scenario? My cut wasnt that deep, but blood did come out. Is this worth being concerned about/seeking PEP while theres still time?
Title: Re: Should there be concern?
Post by: Jeff G on April 23, 2013, 10:55:58 am
You did not have a risk for HIV in this situation . HIV is fragile and damaged instantly when exposed to oxygen rendering it unable to infect .

You can put your mind at ease because you did not have a risk .
Title: Re: Should there be concern?
Post by: amplemethod on April 23, 2013, 11:00:44 am
Hi Jeff G I really appreciate the reply and reassurance. Just to elaborate - the source's blood was only exposed to air for a short duration - under a minute before contacting me and i have heard of HIV surviving for much longer. Am I wrong about that?
Title: Re: Should there be concern?
Post by: Jeff G on April 23, 2013, 11:13:57 am
Hi Jeff G I really appreciate the reply and reassurance. Just to elaborate - the source's blood was only exposed to air for a short duration - under a minute before contacting me and i have heard of HIV surviving for much longer. Am I wrong about that?

I can reassure you that you didn't have a risk . There has never been a documented case of HIV transmission in the manner you are concerned about and I can promise you that you wont be the first .

If you had a huge gaping open wound and somebody else had the same and poured massive amounts of fresh blood into your wound then you may have a problem , but that's not what we are dealing with here . You really can forget about this and put it behind you because it simply is NOT a risk .

To be more specific in answering your question ... drops of blood on your skin , even if you have nicks and scratches isn't a risk for HIV . Drops of blood and smears of blood are rendered unable to infect when exposed to oxygen , its really that simple . 
Title: Re: Should there be concern?
Post by: amplemethod on April 23, 2013, 11:18:19 am
Alright, fair enough, was probably a bit too paranoid. Big thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Should there be concern?
Post by: Jeff G on April 23, 2013, 11:22:00 am
Alright, fair enough, was probably a bit too paranoid. Big thanks for your help.

I want you to know that if I thought there was even the slightest bit of risk I would have told you so . Its our goal here to educate people about HIV and prevent HIV infections .