Risk of blood contact

[joestv975]

I have a question regarding HIV transmission. Thank you in advance for your response.

I'm asian and going to a barber shop for a hair cut every 4 weeks. The shop has a service I'm sure most of you never heard of, that is ear picking. Alot of asian males who come in to have hair cuts and have the service. At one time I had a scab in one ear due to previous use of cotton swab and I had the service few days after. The barber used a aluminum tool (several inches long), thin not sharp but can easily penetrate the ear skin, which has a flat head few milimeters long, carefully tried to create small breaks of the dead skin layer on the ear (like flakes). then he would use another tool to peel the dead skin from the breaks. In the first few seconds, the tool touched the scab and caused "some/little" bleeding as he put it. He stopped right away and told me about that. He went on the other ear.

You can watch a video how this procedure is done and the tools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXsSxy1BF0w


Questions:

I was concerned because the procedure caused some bleeding in one ear.

If the tool has some blood on it from the previous customer (about 15-20 mins each session) and used the same tools on my ear? how risky is this for hiv or other viral infection? can hiv transmit this way? what are the chances? Is testing needed? I don't know if there were traces of blood on the tool would dry or still be wet. I don't know about the previous customer.

Any case of hiv transmission in similar manner reported?

I know the tools are usually not sterialized properly by soap and water between customers.   I think the barber only wipes the tools on piece of cleanex. After the service, the barber usually sit the tools on a holder (air dry I guess). He told me later that it's rare that the service would cause bleedings.

Thank you very much and sorry for a long one.

[Ann]

Joe,

The only way you're going to become infected with hiv in a barber shop is if you have unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with the barber or a fellow patron.

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus. It is mainly transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse where the virus never leaves the confines of the two bodies.

Once outside the body, small changes in temperature, and pH and moisture levels all quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect. This is why his cannot be transmitted from objects in the environment, such as the ear-picking tool.

You have NOT had a risk for hiv infection.

Ann

[joestv975]

thanks Ann.

[joestv975]

One last question if I may.
How does this sharing tool different than the risk of getting a tattoo?
I'm just trying to understand.

Is it ok to forget about it? Thank you.

[RapidRod]

Move along, you never had an exposure.

[joestv975]

thx.

[joestv975]

Hi all, some six yrs ago, I was working with a contractor for a home project. While helping him unload some materials off his truck, he got a cut and was bleeding. I gave him a band aid. I'm concerned that his blood was on the surface of the materials, and I touched the same spot. The thing is I don't remember I got fresh cut on my hands although it's possible.

Is there a risk if blood contact with a cut in this scenario? can hiv transmit this way?

Thanks.

[Ann]

Joe,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.





Hiv cannot be transmitted from objects in the environment, even if there is blood present. I've already explained to you how hiv is a very fragile virus.

You have not had a risk for hiv infection.

Ann

[joestv975]

Sorry Ann and thanks for your response. I kept thinking whatifs.
If hiv can transmit in these two cases (not making it up) would you say it'd be the first one? From your experience, have you heard of a hiv infection with unknown routes or similar cases? Blood on a cut or tool?

Again thank you so much for your time.

[Ann]

Joe,

If you cannot accept the fact that you have not had a risk for hiv infection, go test, collect your negative result and get on with your life.

Ann

[joestv975]

I'll try to accept the fact and move on.
Thanks.