Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Could Using A Public Toilet And Contact With Someone's Blood Lead To Transmission Of HIV Or Hepatitis?
Question: Last weekend, I used a public toilet that had a small amount of blood on it...it did not look like it had dried. I am 95% sure I did not come into contact with the blood, but if (on the off change) I did - could I have possibly contracted HIV or any type of Hepatitis? I am female, so I am obsessively worrying that the blood could have somehow made it to my vagina. PLEASE HELP!
Brief Answer:
There is no risk for HIV and hepatitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I think you shouldn't worry because there is no risk for HIV or Hepatitis B and C.
There is no possibility to get HIV or hepatitis in this situation even if you had contact with the blood because HIV cannot live outside the body just few seconds and should have blood to blood contact and sexual intercourse to contract hepatitis.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards
There is no risk for HIV and hepatitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I think you shouldn't worry because there is no risk for HIV or Hepatitis B and C.
There is no possibility to get HIV or hepatitis in this situation even if you had contact with the blood because HIV cannot live outside the body just few seconds and should have blood to blood contact and sexual intercourse to contract hepatitis.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you, Dr. Dede! I am at ease regarding HIV, but I am still a little worried about Hepatitis B and C. If the blood somehow got into my vagina, would that be considered “blood to blood contact”? I have also read that you can contract both types of Hepatitis by simply “having contact with infected blood”; this leads me to believe that it’s possible to catch the virus even if you don’t have an open wound. Can you please provide more detail, to help put my mind at ease?
Brief Answer:
There is no risk in your situation if you have intact skin.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should know that exist a risk for HBV or HCV infection from exposures of mucous membranes or non-intact skin, but there is no known risk for HBV/HCV infection from exposure to intact skin.
So, there is no risk in your situation even if you have blood contact with your intact skin of vagina and it is absolutely not consider blood to blood contact.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards
There is no risk in your situation if you have intact skin.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should know that exist a risk for HBV or HCV infection from exposures of mucous membranes or non-intact skin, but there is no known risk for HBV/HCV infection from exposure to intact skin.
So, there is no risk in your situation even if you have blood contact with your intact skin of vagina and it is absolutely not consider blood to blood contact.
I hope my answer helps you.
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
