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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Accidental Skin Contact With Infected Blood?
Question: I work at a hospital and was typing on a computer when I looked down and noticed my dry skin had cracked and a drop of blood had formed. Without thinking I wiped it away with my finger - the same finger I had been typing with on the computer keyboard. The computer was outside of the room of a patient with Hep C and HIV. Is there any risk of infection if there had been blood with Hep C/HIV on the keyboard and I then proceeded to touch the cut/blood on my hand with that finger that had touched the keyboard/mouse?
Brief Answer:
Transmission risk of HIV is negligible, HCV is low.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HIV can not survive outside the boy fluids for not more than few seconds and the risk for HIV is negligible or almost nil whereas HCV can live outside in room temperature for few days. But usually transmitted through sharp objects like infected needle prick, blood transfusion and sex contact. The risk of HCV with casual contact is very low.
So not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Transmission risk of HIV is negligible, HCV is low.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HIV can not survive outside the boy fluids for not more than few seconds and the risk for HIV is negligible or almost nil whereas HCV can live outside in room temperature for few days. But usually transmitted through sharp objects like infected needle prick, blood transfusion and sex contact. The risk of HCV with casual contact is very low.
So not to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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