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Are There Possibility Of Getting HIV By Using Syringes In Public Restroom?

Posted on Sat, 29 Mar 2014

Question: Hi Doc, I m a diabetic and so take insulin injection. In my office i have to take injection in office toilet. I want to know is there any risk if HIV from this? I m worried and paranoid about this? By touching toilet door knobs and then touching the insulin bottle's tip (where we insert injection) with the same hand pose any risk? Do i need to get tested for this? had tested negative 5 months back Plz help me with this ASAP.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: HIV not spreads through inanimate objects. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. There is no possibility to get HIV by using needles and syringes and having injecting insulin yourself at bath-room of your office. You need no test for HIV. HIV neither transmitted by air-born infection nor through inanimate objects. It can not live outside the body. It is viable in certain body fluids only other than urine, sweating, feces or saliva. Just using door knobs, toilet seats, flush tank handles never leads to HIV transmission. Forget this possibility, relax and proceed with your daily routine. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

Thank you doctor for ur response. I knw I being paranoid here but what if there was some body fluid with hiv on the door knob (dried) or (wet) and I touch that door knob and insulin bottle opening (where we inject the injection) with the same hand.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Very negligible risk.Remote possibility unlikely. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. When the door knob handled by a HIV positive individual and if the body fluid stick to the same got dried, there is no question of HIV transmission as HIV cannot be viable after drying in atmospheric temperature. If it was wet and if you handle this and with that hand you are opening insulin bottle and introduce the syringe into it and then get injected yourself is also a long chain of process and there is every likelihood of HIV get died and transmission is not possible at any stage. If at all theoretical possibility is there, it is very very negligible and you need not worry about that. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (58 minutes later)

So basically its no risk, right? And no need to get tested for this right? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: No risk for HIV by injecting Insulin in bathroom Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Yes you have no risk for HIV through the method what you have mentioned. You don't need to test for the same. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)

last question doctor....Srry to bother u with the same question....you mean even if the door knob was wet it is no risk event and no need to get tested for this? Thank you very much!!

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: No test is necessary as there is no risk. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome. Yes, even if the door knob is wet and touched by you before your injection, there is no risk for HIV for you and you need no test. Dr S.Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar