Can HIV Be Contracted From Contaminated Objects Picked Up From The Ground?

Posted on Wed, 26 Apr 2023

Question: hi to whom it may concern I was picking up towels and i picked something that was a burnt something but it was almost like a burnt match but it got me on my finger and I threw it away this was this morning. the other thing i was in the back lawn picking something up what to believe from a soda can it was metal with a napkin but the item got me on my finger like a can of soda you open the latch to popen thew soda with that metal part I think not really so sure on both items I have photos of thew half of which it came came contact with with hiv test? honestly?

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like i feel affects from both incidents worry?? honestly

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Like the item was small it look like a burnt match but not certain though no burn though I threw it away with the tab metal thing did not cut just touched me like contqftee me

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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Questions so that I can advise.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Before answering I would like to clarify if I have your information right:

1. You picked up something that you think was burnt. Did it burn your fingers? Did you feel anything sharp poke into your skin?

2. With the soda can tab object, did you get cut?

3. I do not see any cut or injured skin on the pictures of your hand. Do you see anything abnormal when looking at your hand?

I'll write my thoughts on this after I hear back from you.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If there was no penetration of the skin, then, there isn't a risk for infection. There is no risk for HIV because HIV cannot live long on inanimate surfaces. Therefore, there is no risk for HIV from what you are describing.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

There is nothing that you need to do. No test is needed. You don't need a tetanus booster if nothing poked you.

I don't see any cuts or sign of something having poked you in the pictures you sent.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (21 minutes later)

I did not feel anything poking to my thinking.
So what would u do honestly sorry I’m repeating it over.
Is the photos of my hand normal anything out of the ordinary thanks.
Oh! You did not get my question understood.
Is it ok to skip a week of methroxiade thanks medicine thanks supposed to take 5 pills thanks once a week thanks.

I was on my phone in the cateria listening and all of a sudden i put it away did not realize i took a photo of something sand this co worker saw me can i get in trouble? nothing was said at the end of my shift? should i worry

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Unless you are prohibited from taking pictures while at work, you having done so probably isn't a problem. Most people won't care that you did unless it is a picture of them or you are not supposed to take pictures because the work you are doing is secret/classified.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (0 minute later)

I was on my phone listening to a message and all of a sudden out it away but not knowing took a photo of something and this worker saw mew can i get in trouble ? nothing was said boy the end of the day if nothing was said by tomorrow im safe?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If you are allowed to take a picture and it wasn't of a person, then there shouldn't be a problem. So no, I would not worry about it.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (7 minutes later)

Cafeteria u allowed too but she saw me.
But it was my break.
But nothing was said though today at the end of shift should I worry honestly.

like the lady was looking but she made a fist and leaning towards her chin apparently like thinking you think she was directly at me??? I was trying ti take as photo of an item that he made contact with mthink it was a fork i took as photo of that item burt was eating the area was on my shoulder but nothing was said today I said ho and she replied hi back but she was walking towards security shold i be concerned she never said anything about the incident though this was ass i was leaving after my shift thanks what should i do is may job is jeopardy here?

he was eating never saw me.
but we are allowed to take phones out though.
im making a big deal out of nothing right?
So nothing was said im safe after tomorrow honestly Should i worry thanks.
U think I’m making a big deal though.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your job should not be in jeopardy if what you were taking a picture of was a fork or some other object like that. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Regarding your shoulder, the picture isn't that clear, but from what I see, there is nothing abnormal.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 minutes later)

Anything unusual with the item on my shoulder that I talked about to you.
Any breaks in skin.

Listen a coworker send it to me another person apparently without her knowledge he did the same thing in the cafeteria worry honestly.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I wouldn't worry about the photo you took in the cafeteria. Try to distract yourself with something else, an activity you enjoy perhaps, so that you don't worry about it. I don't think there is anything to worry about with it.

I do not see any breaks in the skin of your shoulder.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 minutes later)

But no breaks in skin.

No testing ??

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

No, there are no indications for needing HIV testing here.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician

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