Disclosing for a haircut

[VectorAKA]

Hey everyone,
     Been referencing these forums for a lot of info since I tested positive June 28. It has been very helpful. This is my first post since I can not find an answer to my question. I have been wondering should I disclose my status to my barber. I realize the chance of someone else getting HIV from me is slim to none from this but I am worried about bacteria's or other skin conditions from everyone else who had their hair cut before me. My CD4s, when they were last tested, were 694, however I am currently co-infected with active CMV. Should I disclose to ensure proper sanitation...I do sometimes have "scalp acne" that get nicked with trimmers or my ear will sometimes get "bit" by them as well. I am very open with my status but don't really want to tell a stranger unless necessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jkinatl2]

Hey everyone,
     Been referencing these forums for a lot of info since I tested positive June 28. It has been very helpful. This is my first post since I can not find an answer to my question. I have been wondering should I disclose my status to my barber. I realize the chance of someone else getting HIV from me is slim to none from this but I am worried about bacteria's or other skin conditions from everyone else who had their hair cut before me. My CD4s, when they were last tested, were 694, however I am currently co-infected with active CMV. Should I disclose to ensure proper sanitation...I do sometimes have "scalp acne" that get nicked with trimmers or my ear will sometimes get "bit" by them as well. I am very open with my status but don't really want to tell a stranger unless necessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

No. You do not need to disclose to a barber.

Not only are you CD4s absolutely fantastic, but the majority of people on earth are going to test positive for CMV. It's one of those bugs we get exposed to early on and our intact immune system keeps it in check for the most part.

[VectorAKA]

I realize most have CMV...mine is active. I am not on medicine for it right now because my specialist believes my immune should fight it off on its own.

[darryaz]

I can't think of any reason why knowing your HIV status would assist the barber in doing his job more effectively.  So I definitely agree with JK.

[Joe K]

Any professional barber will be using proper sterilization techniques, so no need to disclose.

Joe

[darryaz]

Any professional barber will be using proper sterilization techniques, so no need to disclose.

Surely training in such things is part of the licensing procedure these days (or am I assuming too much?)

[VectorAKA]

Thanks for the replys...was just wondering if anyone had any issues with...Thanks again everybody :-)

[mecch]

I agree you should not disclose. However, I see that you asked about two different viruses and I think we should consider that there are 3 different issues involved in this answer. The answers so far have responded to HIV transmission.

1) HIV is not transmitted at the barbers. (HIV dies when in contact with air.)


2) CMV transmission  - i have no expert opinion on this. CMV does seem to have different considerations than HIV transmission.

http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/transmission.html
http://www.pkids.org/diseases/cmv.html

3) A barber should sterilizing cutting tools.  This is the real reason someone should not have to give a barber a list of all their diseases.  !!!

However, in my experience, barbers always put a new blade in the razor when they trim around the neck and ears. 

I see that they do NOT always sterilize scissors.  Sometimes it sits in the antiseptic jar, but mostly i see the opposite. 

And I would guess they sterilize the electric buzzers once a day? Personally, I've never seen that happen.

Again, I'm not saying this has anything to do with HIV transmission. !!!!!!!!!!
 
Whether it has something to say about the transmission of other viruses, I have no idea.

But I believe that gets at your multidimensional question.

[oksikoko]

I don't know about you guys, but I don't even answer the doorbell without disclosing, and even then I wear industrial-strength rubber gloves.

Safety first! (Cue Jiminy Cricket.)

[Basquo]

Hi VektorAKA, welcome to the forums! I echo what everyone else has said: no need to disclose, barbers should be using clean tools...but if you are prone to getting nicked or having your tender scalp otherwise compromised, perhaps you should speak up when they nick you, and before the haircut mention that you have some scalp acne and ask him to be gentle and not grind the points of the guard into those area. Barbers want to be quick but if their tools are sharp they can get the same result by going a little slower.

Hugs,
Creighton

[weasel]

  HI   VectorAKA   , I would not disclose , Is the place  clean ? That is what counts .

   By the way  you have great numbers  !

  I agree with what has been said , I have a tender head   


   Your original question is the reason I taught my husband how to cut my
 hair , he does a fine job . Only took about 6 years to get it right 

  I have been to a barber a few times ,  They are too quick and do not know my
 head , Home cutting works .
   
                                    Be well ,
                                                     Weasel
  P.S.  I disclose for everybody , but a barber is pushing my limits .....