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Can HIV Be Transmitted Through Handshake?

Posted on Tue, 30 Dec 2014

Question: Hi Is this Closed I hope because I shook a guest hand and the Contact was for a period of time wound touching someone else's hand HIV????? Please I'm freaking out

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I thik you have nothing to worry about HIV transmission.

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

It is very unlikely that you could have contracted HIV just by shaking hands. Firstly, the virus cannot enter intact skin. Intact skin is too hardy for the virus to go through it.
Secondly, for HIV to enter through this wound, first of all there should be direct contact with an infected body fluid which is not the case here, baring the scenario that this particular guest had a freshly bleeding wound on his or her hand.
Thirdly, for HIV to enter into your body through a wound, the wound should be fresh and bleeding. The virus cannot enter through a would that is even a few hours old (4-6 hours) and has already formed early scab.
Therefore you have nothing to worry about and I think you are worrying too much for nothing.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

But Please look at it closely So you are describing to me its scabbed up? or open Do you see a little red on the top right hand corner almost like a dot of red

Im not talking about shaking hands I'm saying this guest made contact with my abrasion if you can call it that the photo i showed you she touched while shaking hands and it was for a persod of time So its closed i know intact skin ids safe from transmission but since sahe made contact with my cut or abrasion its closed?? or you think please ask your team that study the same practice as you. Thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The floor of the wound shows fresh granulation tissue

Detailed Answer:
Hi

How old was the wound on your hand when you shook hands? Was it freshly bleeding when this happened?
The floor of the wound has fresh granulation tissue. It looks red because of rich vascularity of granulation tissue. The dot of red is most likely a clotted capillary or small blood vessel.
Moreover, I guess the wound on your hand never came in contact with an infected body fluid, so where is the question of the virus entering through it? unless the guest had a freshly bleeding wound on hand.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

the wound was a few weeks ago i can't recall! it did come in contact! That photo i showed you was right after the hand shake of the person which i did today
you saw the picture i send you background was a water facut in the back round

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Yes, I saw the same picture with a water faucet in the background.
So, it is at least a week old! That means it is definitely sealed and there is no way the virus could have entered through it.
As I said before the virus can enter the bloodstream through a wound that is fresh and actively bleeding not through a scabbed up wound such as in this Image.
Moreover, for HIV to enter there must be a source of infection i.e an infected body fluid. Even if we suppose that the person you shook hands with, is HIV positive, even then just merely shaking hands with that person wound not transmit HIV. The virus is present in infected body fluids like blood, genital secretions etc and not on intact skin.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 minute later)

So technically thee photo is is intact skin?

So suppose the Person is HIV Postive? And I'm negative I can't get it because the image you saw with the facet is in intact skin??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HIV cannot enter a scabbed up wound

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The wound in the Image is sufficiently intact so as to not allow the virus to get through it.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

So thats what i have in the photo scabbed up wound??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hiv cannot pass through a scab

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Yes exactly!

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 minute later)

thanks Doc as soon as i did i said oh shttt to myself I feel better I'm safe

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Yes indeed you are safe!

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 minutes later)

if any doubts let me know ok i would appreciated it I'm staying confident nothing will arise out of this is it particular odd to find small pimples on the soft are of the bottom lip can a burn make this happen from coffee

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upload an Image; I would like to rule out labial herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I would like to rule out possibility of labial herpes/cold sore.
I would like you to upload a digital Image of the affected area. Herpes can present commonly at lip with grouped,discrete, fluid filled vesicles.
You can upload an Image at the Reports Section Or else you may also mail me at YYYY@YYYY with the subject line as Attn Dr. Kakkar.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 minutes later)

Dang iits a diease?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upload a photo for review

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I would need a photograph to confirm whether it is actually herpes Or just a coffee burn.
Herpes or cold sore is caused by a virus, herpes simplex virus (hsv).
It classically presents with cluster of fluid filled lesions on lip or area around the mouth. It can recur.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 minutes later)

its like a small white head Im trying toy send two

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is likely glandular in origin; it is not herpes labialis

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I have reviewed the Images.
No, it is not labial herpes.
Looks glandular in origin and most likely it is due to a blocked mucus gland duct. No active intervention required. It should resolve on its own

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 minute later)

Dang you scaredplesase explain how i got this

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No intervention required

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It is nothing serious and would resolve on its own. It can happen due to trauma from tooth biting during chewing. The trauma may be a minor one and may not even have been noticed.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 minutes later)

All i know I was drinking hot coffee like sipping it fast at DD Dunckin donuts

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Minor tooth trauma is the likely cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Ok. As I said, the trauma may have been minor and may have gone unnoticed.
This would go away without treatment.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Sorry about the finger I think all of a sudden had a Moment of night mares

I have to enjoy life if relaxed nothing bad

Can I get let go by a company if I keep asking Coworkers the same thing a few times? They know I'm a great Co worker. Whats your feed back thanks appreciate your patience in this matter ok

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I apologize for delay in my reply.
I reiterate, that there is absolutely nothing to worry in terms of acquiring HIV from this particular exposure.
For me it is absolutely fine if you have any more questions regarding the wound. That is my job and I will be happy to pass on the information.
I don't think there is any need to ask anyone any more about the same thing and you can just forget about this and engage your mind in other activities. You are safe.
The scab is going to fall off in 2-3 days and till then you may keep the wound covered with a waterproof band-aid, just for your own peace of mind.

Regards

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