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Can HIV Virus Survive Outside The Human Body?

Posted on Tue, 29 Mar 2016

Question: accidentaly touched a tissue paper that was kind of wet .... ( maybe sperm or secretions ) then i forgot and didnt wash my hands and i went to eAt ? Is there a risk and why

1. can i contract hiv from my hand to food ?
2. What if i had a sore in my mouth and i eat the food in the above scenrio ?

is there a risk ?

In addidtion the below 3 .. does blood on lips from drinking after someone without entering mouth cause any risk ???
Please provide for these 3 questions

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is very unlikely because HIV is not transmitted this way.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Welcome to HCM.

HIV virus can't survive outside the human body in an open environment and it is highly unlikely that HIV virus will be transmitted in the way you have mentioned even if you have sores in your mouth.

In addition, human saliva is not very conducive for transmission of HIV, as saliva also contains an enzyme inhibiting the growth of HIV virus so you need not to fear as the risk is very very less likely in your case.

The blood on lips can harm only when you are sure that it is infected with HIV and there is abration or cut or any other injury on your lips through which it can directly enter the blood stream otherwise not.

These are no such instances that I have come across till date and also not reported elsewhere. so just calm down and be relaxed.
will be happy to help you if you have further queries.

Thank You

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (1 hour later)

The cut on lip should be bleeding ? If the out was 2 hours old will it have any risk ?

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no risk.

Detailed Answer:
welcome back,

Thanks for follow-up.

If the cut was more than 2 hours old, then there is no risk because HIV virus dies within few seconds in an open environment so just relax and calm down.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (31 minutes later)

The lips should be bleeding to cause any risk right ?

Please answer these questions

1. The lips should be bleeding right ?
2. Is cold scare cause blood to transmit

Thank u in advance

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Active recent bleeding transmits the HIV infection not old one.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Welcome back once again.

HIV is transmitted from direct contact with active recent bleeding not old one. The cold scare inhibits blood to transmit so calm down and just relaxed.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (3 hours later)

Does contacting Blood on nose without entering inside the nose ( the outer skin of then nose ) cause any risk ?

if blood contacted the outer part of nose without entering nasal.

i read that nose is mucus membran do they mean inside of the nose or the outside also

thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It carries no risk.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

If blood contacts outer surface of the nose without entering inside then it carries no risk and mucous membrane is always situated inside not outside so don't think so much and go ahead in life happily.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (10 hours later)

Ok another question am doing a small research ... Does hiv cause any risk when having a pimple or acne .... Not bleeding ofcourse and sperm or blood got on non bleeding acne and pimple ans why please

Or a closed wound

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The possibility of any risk is very unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

There is very unlikely or you can say negligible possibility of any risk when sperm or blood comes in contact with non bleeding pimple or acne on the face. It is also not the usual way of transmission of HIV so no need to worry about that.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (35 minutes later)

What about closed wound

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No risk at all.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

If the wound is closed then obviously there is no risk. I hope I answered all your concerns, if still any left you can write to me and I will answer straight way.

Thank You

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T