risks of blood in mouth

[sptau]

Hi there,

Id really appreciate if someone could provide some insight into this matter.  Would anyone be able to tell me whether the HIV virus survives in wet blood in the environment.  I know there is not answer as to how long it survives, but say for instance, I was to get some wet blood on my finger (blood that was outside the environment for about approximately 1 - 2 hours before contact) and then to suck this blood off my finger.  Would I be at risk? Or am I just being overly paranoid?

Thank you!

[jkinatl2]

You would absolutely not be at risk. HIV breaks down almost instantly when exposed to the temperature and pH changes in the environment. You can certainly get other illnesses, some of them quite serious, from licking up emergency room floors. For that reason, I don't recommend this hobby.

But no, not HIV.

[sptau]

Thank you so much for the input.  So even if I had a cut inside my lip there would be no chance of infection? In addition, what if I touched blood on someone elses hand (such as during a handshake) and then put my finger in my mouth soon after?  SOrry for all the questions - just so paranoid about this.  Lastly - if i touched someones scab through casual contact and got blood on my fingers but had no visible cuts - I would not be at risk, correct?

[RapidRod]

Still no risk.

[jkinatl2]

You could lick the scab of someone with a high viral load and there would be no risk.

[sptau]

Hi there,

Could someone please tell me about the risks of getting hiv following getting blood in the mouth following CASUAL contact - for example, if you touch someones hand and do not realise they are bleeding and you get blood on your finger and then proceed to put your finger into your mouth within seconds/minutes? Thank you.

[sptau]

In addition, if you had a cut in your mouth where you get the blood

[Ann]

sptau,

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 everything 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.

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We've been through this with you already. These outlandish situations you're imagining are NOT risks for hiv infection.

You know, if you came across someone bleeding to death in the middle of the road and applied your mouth directly to their bleeding wounds and sucked down as much blood as you could, then you might be at risk. But this "I touched blood and sucked it off my finger" bullshit is just that - bullshit. Knock it off.

Ann

[sptau]

I have an additional questions and hope I am posting it in the correct place? I know my fears are a bit out of control and I am seeing someone for it. My last question is - if I get a small amount of fresh blood from another person's wound, and it contacted a healing cut on my hand (a thin layer of skin formed over a portion of my thumb where my cuticle was torn off from biting the skin around my fingers).I was not bleeding. Would this be a risk? Thank you for the time and I'm sorry for all the questions!

[RapidRod]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

[sptau]

Hello again!

I have a concern about cigarette burns. I went to hug a friend who was holding a lit cigarette and bumped her hand and burned my finger on the cigarette. It was not a bad burn - it just was a bit red and sensitive - it didn't bleed or scab over later on. I am worried that she maybe burned herself in the same instant - as I bumped her hand - and the cigarette burned me after this. So if there was blood or flesh transferred to my burn in the same instant, would transmission be possible? Or would the heat kill the virus eventhough we burned ourselves within miliseconds of one another? Thanks! Happy 2012!

[RapidRod]

HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child

[Andy Velez]

HIV is a fragile virus and absolutely would not be transmitted in the manner you are concerned about.

You've been given the basics about HIV transmission more than once. I am going to warn you that if you continue to return with these fanciful speculations about HIV risk, you are going to find yourself getting a Time Out from the site.

Cut out the unnecesary drama and get on with your life.