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Does HIV Gets Transmitted Through Fomites Or Touching Objects?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015
Question: Hi,
My back neck has a small area of rash due to allergy, and I often scratch it, sometimes it bleeds a little bit. Last month I went to a lab to do a blood draw. When I was in the lab or returned home I can't remember, I scratched my rash and it bled a little bit again. I didn't shower until 3 days after returning from the lab. I’m worried that, if my hand touched something in the lab that may have HIV virus, then touched the bleeding rash, the virus may be transmitted into my body. Do I have any risk of having HIV?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No risk of HIV transmission.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic.
I have gone through the details.
I think you are too anxious with this disease.

HIV does not survive in the environment for long.HIV is not transmitted through fomites or touching objects.
As per the description you have not come in contact with any infected fluid or blood.
So there is no possible source of HIV infection.

There is no possibility of transmission of HIV.
You can allay fears of HIV.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venerologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (3 hours later)
Thanks for your prompt reply! I have some other worries:

I also did a urine test in the lab. When I was taking a urine sample my fingers accidentally touched my genital area. Before this my fingers touched the bathroom door knob. There seemed to be some red brown splash stains on the door around the knob, I don't know if they were blood or not, and I don't know if the knob was clean or not. Is there any chance that my fingers caught HIV virus on the knob and transmitted it onto my genital area and then into my body?

Also, after going home from the lab, I didn't shower until 3 days later, is there any chance that my exposed skin caught HIV virus from the lab, and my hands touched it, and when I scratched my skin or rubbed my eyes the virus may enter my body?

I seem to be paranoid...would appreciate your answer.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No possiblity of HIV transmission.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
You are too anxious about the disease.

Skin is an effective barrier for transmission of HIV. Unless there is open wound or ulcer in skin or mucus membranes,HIV cannot be transmitted.
So you can allay fears of HIV transmission by the door knob,scratch etc.
Please forget all these episodes.

Get involved in activities you like .
Do exercises, yoga, meditation .

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1764 Questions

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Does HIV Gets Transmitted Through Fomites Or Touching Objects?

Brief Answer: No risk of HIV transmission. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query. Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details. I think you are too anxious with this disease. HIV does not survive in the environment for long.HIV is not transmitted through fomites or touching objects. As per the description you have not come in contact with any infected fluid or blood. So there is no possible source of HIV infection. There is no possibility of transmission of HIV. You can allay fears of HIV. You can get back for any clarification. Thank you Dr Bharatesh D Basti Dermatologist and venerologist