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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Skin To Skin Contact?

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Posted on Tue, 17 May 2016
Question: Hi there. I'm an Esthetician and I performed a facial on somebody yesterday who is HIV + I was gloved up for the entire facial except for the very end when I applied sunscreen. I have a cut on my hand (a week old) and then noticed the gentlemen had a healing scab on his face (not sure if it was bleeding). What is the likelihood of transmission and should I get tested?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to get HIV through doing facial on a HIV positive individual

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Transmission of HIV through casual contact or through skin to skin contact other than genitals and mouth is negligible as per CDC, XXXXXXX even in the presence of an injury over your hand.
Such situations can occur with the care providers of HIV positive individuals especially with hiv positive children in the family and in hospitals in their day to day activities, but they remain HIV negative for years. So nothing to worry. Your chance of getting HIV infection is almost nil.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (31 minutes later)
Thank you for putting my mind at ease. So hypothetically speaking, even if he had been bleeding, its still a very low risk to get it that way? I also found out from the doctor i worl for that his viral load is undetectable
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
HIV risk is negligible in the presence of any bleeding wound in your hand

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
HIV RNA PCR revealed undetectable viral load confirmed that you are free from HIV 1 infection. Even in the presence of any bleeding wound in your hand, HIV risk is still negligible only. Nothing to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3110 Questions

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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Skin To Skin Contact?

Brief Answer: Unlikely to get HIV through doing facial on a HIV positive individual Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. Transmission of HIV through casual contact or through skin to skin contact other than genitals and mouth is negligible as per CDC, XXXXXXX even in the presence of an injury over your hand. Such situations can occur with the care providers of HIV positive individuals especially with hiv positive children in the family and in hospitals in their day to day activities, but they remain HIV negative for years. So nothing to worry. Your chance of getting HIV infection is almost nil. Dr S.Murugan