Manicure / Pedicure

[Brad Pritt]

Hi folks. I was just wondering if it was possible to become infected by using a toothbrush used by an HIV-positive person. I've read several answers that HIV does not live outside the body, and in order to become infected transfer of blood must occur within minutes of leaving the body. However many specialists say that it could be a possibility. What if the situation was the following?

The person with HIV would have bleed when brushing their teeth;

The person with HIV would not rinse off the toothbrush after use and put a protection cap on it;

Another distracted person would use that same toothbrush within minutes;

The second person would put the toothbrush with blood on it, into their mouth with bleeding gums.

What are the real chances of getting infected in this situation?

Thank you!

[Andy Velez]

Is this something theoretical or something you have actually experienced?

Theoretically there could be risk but in the real world of HIV I have never known of a confirmed case of transmission to happen in this way. HIV is a fragile virus and doesn't survive in a viable form once exposed to the air.

In general it's not a good idea to be sharing toothbrushes as doing so can expose you to other health problems.

[Brad Pritt]

Hi Andy,

In fact was a real situation.

Do you think that person should be tested?

[Andy Velez]

No, I do not think that incident requires testing.

I've never known of a case of transmission in that manner.

[Brad Pritt]

Thank you very much Andy.

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome.

[Brad Pritt]

I found this answer very interesting:

I've never heard "officially" of anybody catching HIV from a toothbrush, but a large number of us don't know how we got it, had none of the usual risk factors. So who knows?  Maybe a toothbrush was the vehicle of infection. 

I would imagine just about everybody at some time or another has mistakenly used the wrong toothbrush.  Then, later, when they're diagnosed with HIV, I very much doubt that they can pinpoint their moment of infection to that toothbrush they used months before.  Everybody should be tested routinely.

Can you comment this Andy?

[Ann]

Brad,

Where did that quote come from? Certainly not this thread.

Hiv is a very fragile virus. Small changes in temperature, and pH and moisture levels quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect. Conditions on a toothbrush will not sustain hiv for any length of time. Besides, not only is saliva not infectious, but it also contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that damage hiv.

You are NOT going to become infected through using someone else's toothbrush, not even in the circumstance you provided. It's just not going to happen.

Ann

[Brad Pritt]

What are the real chances of being infected by non sterilized manicure/pedicure tools?

[Ann]

Brad,

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.

I've also realise that you posted in a thread in the Living forum back in January. You are NOT permitted to post in that or any other forum intended for hiv positive people. Don't do it again.

If you read through the Welcome Thread before posting like you're supposed to, you would know this stuff. Please abide by our rules in future or risk being banned.





There is absolutely NO CHANCE of being infected through a manicure or pedicure. No one person has ever been infected this way and you aren't going to be the first.

Ann