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Can HIV Be Transmitted Through Accidental Contact Of Infected Fluid With Skin?
Question: what makes hiv/hcv unable to infect once it is on a surface? I understand you are not to share toothbrushes and razors, but how is that different from touching a fluid on a surface then using that finger to touch the inside of your vaginal or eyes or open wound? please clarify. thank you
Brief Answer:
Some information:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Different microorganisms need different conditions to survive. HIV needs tissue or certain body fluids to survive. While HIV can live for a limited time on dried blood, HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce outside a human host. The life span of HIV outside of the body has not been determined. But in general, other than on items like a razor or syringe/needles, HIV doesn't survive long on surfaces without some tissue or body fluids.
The Hepatitis C virus, however, can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for up to 3 weeks. It can also be spread by sharing shaving razors, and of course, needles. And eating utensils
Your question about touching fluid on a surface and then touching an open wound is a good one. Universal precautions are still recommended when dealing with surfaces potentially contaminated with HIV and HCV.
The thought about the razor is that it may contain some blood/tissue that may be harboring viruses.
I thought that you might find the following article helpful: http://www.aidsmap.com/Survival-outside-the-body/page/0000/
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Some information:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Different microorganisms need different conditions to survive. HIV needs tissue or certain body fluids to survive. While HIV can live for a limited time on dried blood, HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce outside a human host. The life span of HIV outside of the body has not been determined. But in general, other than on items like a razor or syringe/needles, HIV doesn't survive long on surfaces without some tissue or body fluids.
The Hepatitis C virus, however, can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for up to 3 weeks. It can also be spread by sharing shaving razors, and of course, needles. And eating utensils
Your question about touching fluid on a surface and then touching an open wound is a good one. Universal precautions are still recommended when dealing with surfaces potentially contaminated with HIV and HCV.
The thought about the razor is that it may contain some blood/tissue that may be harboring viruses.
I thought that you might find the following article helpful: http://www.aidsmap.com/Survival-outside-the-body/page/0000/
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
so if I possibly touched a fluid on a surface, such as a table, then a couple minutes later had to get a tampon out of my vagina...very high near cervix (don't ask, embarrassing). would there be risk of hiv or hcv? I didn't notice any fluids but honestly did not think of it until much later. I would have at least ran my hands under water but unsure if I washed them.
thank you
thank you
Brief Answer:
Question:
Detailed Answer:
Were you in an environment where there was known blood or body fluids or HIV or HCV lab specimens there?
Question:
Detailed Answer:
Were you in an environment where there was known blood or body fluids or HIV or HCV lab specimens there?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
no just unsure if I came into contact with any fluids on a surface while sitting in an office with someone who may have hub or hcv. didn't notice it at the time but was not looking for it
Brief Answer:
You are safe then.
Detailed Answer:
I think you are quite safe from HIV given the literature.
HCV can survive on surfaces, but given that you rinsed your hands, and the very low risk of picking up trace amounts from surfaces in the work place (assuming you are not working in the health field where you are handling HCV specimens), I think you are safe. The risk is for someone cleaning up a blood spill, etc.
You are safe then.
Detailed Answer:
I think you are quite safe from HIV given the literature.
HCV can survive on surfaces, but given that you rinsed your hands, and the very low risk of picking up trace amounts from surfaces in the work place (assuming you are not working in the health field where you are handling HCV specimens), I think you are safe. The risk is for someone cleaning up a blood spill, etc.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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