Can HIV Be Transmitted By Touch Or Shaking Hands?

Posted on Thu, 11 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I was talking to a woman at a haircuttery place waiting to get a haircut She works there only for a few month. She look weird talking to me and smiling but she was smiling at another female now at the end of the conservation I shook her hand now I had a ward burnt off to me it seemed like a scab covering the wound Ill send a photo when i have a chance now I'm freaking she touched it when i was shaking her hand I don't know if she had a cut on her hand or what inn Soo stupid now I'm freaky about HIV? I always got to assume anyone could get it Please and I was sitting there watching her with another customer and IDONT think she had any cuts but I'm not confident please assist me with this serious problem

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No risk of HIV transmission

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
HIV is not transmitted by touch or shaking hands.
Rarest possibility if both the person have open bleeding wound.Here you probably have a scab on your wound. You can send clear photos of same.
Once scab is formed no chance of virus penetrating wound
If the lady had wound you would seen blood or felt it.So it is most unlikely from both the angles.
There is no risk of HIV transmission.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist

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

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 minutes later)

Im not worried about the shaking hands I'm worried about the wound it self ill send you a photo asap

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Chances nil if scab present or healed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
I have mentioned about wound too.If there is scab or no bleeding from wound, then the chances of transmission is almost nil.
You can send clear photos for further clarification with details of wound, symptoms, treatment taken etc.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

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

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 minute later)

I'm trying to send the photo

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Details to Upload photos mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
There is no photos uploaded so far.
You can upload photos YYYY@YYYY with attention to Dr Bharatesh D Basti.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

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

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (13 hours later)

I hope you can see it this is the photo i took as soon as I shook hands with her????? Should i really worry
I went to the Dr for fitting for support for my shoes he said its closed you agree?
he said the red area is the skin? Do you thin k he's right

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Scab is formed.Allay fears of HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Yes the doctor is right.Scab is formed in the wound. It is closed.There is no possibility of entry of HI through this wound.
Red area in the wound is healed tissue.
You can allay fears of HIV .
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

So the red area is dry what do you mean allay fears?
So the second photo you see my whole hand of the Palm is all red is this a diease related

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not disease related.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
I have gone through the second photo.
Palm redness is not disease related. It is due to the vascularity and skin fairness.
As there is no possibility of HIV entering the wound you can forget about the episode.Don't be anxious about HIV.
Please get involved in activities you like.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (15 minutes later)

ok thanks Doc so palm redness is vasularity and skin fairness no wonder I have like white skin like peeling i get skin peeling like a dry skin you know what I'm saying lie all white on my hand almost like skin is peeling off is there a cure what you mentioned thanks about the palm

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can have good control on peeling.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
If there is skin peeling , it may be due to dryness or xerosis.
Please avoid harsh soaps and detergents.
Use gentle soaps or cleansers .
I would have advised skin peeling agents like salicylic acid (salicylyx-6).
You can have good control over peeling of skin by these measures.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (11 minutes later)

So if you notice the palm little bit of skin is peeling on the corner i believe What can i do about the rtedness the vbascamaty
reness is caused by soaps and shampoos
if true man i can put anything in my body spray i put over i get an reaction

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Irritant or allergens for peeling

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
I know your anxiety XXXXXXX The peeling can be due to contact with any of substances. It can be allergic or irritant.Hands are exposed to various insults like Air, temperature, allergens etc.These repeated insults can be the reason for peeling. Once there is peeling there can be redness too.
Vascularity may be due to these or skin fairness.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (33 minutes later)

So you mean what about the skin peeling I don't quit understand Sorry
Skin fairness? I have been working outdoors for about ten years at my job recreation attendant pool Conceirge Does that have to do with it??

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Fairness may be due to occupation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

Yes fairness can be due to your work.

Skin peeling can be due to exposure to dust or allergens or detergents or any agents.

You can observe your daily activities and you can try to analyze the likely agent.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (11 minutes later)

Man I really appreciate your patience with this the shaking hand about that thing on my finger i was freaking out when it made contact now I know i feel better by looking at the photos look at these hockey players they beat each other up and thy don't think about it Do you watch hockey can the redness go all the way to my arms like you saw on my palm

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No will not extend to arms.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.

Thank you for compliments.

I watch hockey occasionally. Yes you are right that anxiety is making you think of such possibilities. You have given a good example of hockey players too.

Hope you relieve your anxiety. You can get involved in activities of interest or hobbies to deviate to your attention.

The redness and peeling will not extend to arms. You are becoming anxious again.

You can get back for any clarification.

Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju