POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: surfergirl on July 11, 2006, 03:58:56 pm

Title: tooth injury-sharing waterbottle
Post by: surfergirl on July 11, 2006, 03:58:56 pm

Hello-

I'm confused on whether HIV infected blood can survive in water (as in a bottle of water that people are sharing). The reason I'm asking is because my boyfriend shared a bottled water with another guy after he had just had a mouth injury-his tooth had just fallen out that day! (and it was his front bottom tooth) Not sure if his mouth was still bleeding but from my experience after having teeth pulled-it can bleed on and off for a few days when triggered by something. I've read that saliva can help kill the virus-but not sure if that would apply in this situation. Does water help kill the virus? I don't know this guys HIV status but he sleeps around allot so I'm really concerned and have been unable to sleep well over the past few days.

thank you......Shanice

Title: Re: tooth injury-sharing waterbottle
Post by: Morgan on July 11, 2006, 04:17:19 pm

Surfergirl,

There is no risk of hiv infection in what you have described.   Hiv quickly degrades outside the body and the mouth is an inhospitable place for hiv infection to occur.  You can relax about this incident.

I invite you to read the welcome thread to learn the real risks for hiv infection.

Morgan