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Author Topic: HIV active/viable outside body  (Read 7848 times)

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Offline dynoguy

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HIV active/viable outside body
« on: December 23, 2006, 01:32:20 pm »
Hello all,

this is a topic I have heard discussed on many different forums and from many different knowledgable and respected individuals. The issue Im concerned with is the variety of responses and was curious what the experts had to say on the subject.

Many people say that HIV is not infectious outside of the body almost immediately after it leaves the body, some say it is not infectious minutes after, and others say still that it is infectious until it has become completely dried?

Im not interested so much in how long HIV can be seen and studied in labs in the fluid but how long it is infectious. Seconds, minutes, or until completely dry? For an example size we'll say a tablespoon of semen or a few drops of blood on a counter top.

While Id like to believe it immediately becomes uninfectious (which is why mutual masturbation with semen as lubricant is a safe activity) Ive read in to many places that until the fluid is completely dry it is still active. Thanks for any input to the subject, I appreciate all and any info.
« Last Edit: December 23, 2006, 01:46:24 pm by dynoguy »
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Offline RapidRod

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2006, 02:10:29 pm »
When the virus hits the open air it makes the virus unable to infect in the situation that you are concerned with. It immediately starts to break down. Lab research specimens is a whole different ball game. The consentrations that they use are very strong specimens.
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Offline dynoguy

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2006, 03:30:59 pm »
Thanks for the reply, do we know (or have any way of knowing) how long it takes before it has broken down enough to no longer be infectious? (such as when it has completely dried out?)
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Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2006, 04:53:09 pm »
Dyno, are you concerned about a specific incident? If so, what are the details?
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Andy Velez

Offline dynoguy

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2006, 04:32:23 am »
yes the event Im concerned about (aside from general curiousity and research into the subject as well) is I stay at a lot of hostils while travelling and recently came across some semen in the public shower which I somehow managed to get on my hands and into some open cuts. Im aware this is pretty much a no-risk situation but was curious as to information regarding its time frame and ability to infect, if ever I come across a similar situation again (so I wont freak out like I did this time)

Id also like to know to minimize the wrong information out there, so many contradictory statements regarding whether fluid is infectious until completely dry or minutes after being out of the body. Thanks so much!
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Offline RapidRod

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2006, 05:27:40 am »
You don't get infected off environmental surfaces. You did not have a risk, period, not even if you got the semen directly from a penis just seconds after ejaculation.
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Offline Andy Velez

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2006, 08:56:14 am »
As has been pointed out to you, the virus is a very fragile one and requires a friendly host environment to remain viable.

Semen in a shower, even IF from someone who is HIV+, is not even remotely such an environment. Including with nicks, sores and whatever on your hands.

This is by no means an unusual activity.There's never been a documented case of transmission in such a manner.  You aren't going to make history by becoming the first.

There's no need for further concern nor for testing.

I can't help wondering if this kind of situation was a new one for you. If there was sexual activity involved there maybe some anxiety about that which is really the driving force in your concern. You were not at risk. Period.

Cheers, 
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Andy Velez

Offline dynoguy

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Re: HIV active/viable outside body
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2006, 09:25:55 am »
Thank you for your time and answers, I really do appreciate both!
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