Can HIV Be Transmitted Through A Wound Caused By A Dog Bite?

Posted on Wed, 22 Feb 2017

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

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 Answered on

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there my name is XXXXXXX My question is if a dog bit someone who had HIV and drew a little blood, then a short time later bit me and broke the skin, is it possible to contract HIV this way. The same goes for Hep C also. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No it is not possible

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, it is not possible that you get a hepatitis c or HIV infection from a dog even if the dog has bitten someone infected before. I hope I answered your question

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (2 hours later)

Thank you Doctor! I've always been freaked out about these sort of things. I've been having some strange things going on lately and am having blood work done to possibly reveal what is going on but I haven't got my results back yet. I got this strong strange aspirine taste in my mouth a couple weeks ago followed by whitish tounge and tingly episodes on it and lower inner gums. Now I'm having trouble sleeping with strange muscle twitches and twerks in various regions of my body. I have also been experiencing a mild sweat pretty much as soon as I go to bed. I have had several ticks on me in the past. The last one was before the new year. It was in me for a few day's or so I do believe. I consulted a doctor at a local clinic and he gave me Oxycyclone once. I heard if Lymes isn't properly treated it can lead to all sorts of ailments including my sometimes confused state of mind, twerks and twitches in my muscles, sweaty cool feet, trouble sleeping through the night. Any thoughts on what may be causing this Doctor?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get a blood test to detect Lyme disease

Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, Lyme disease is easily treated in its early stages but if untreated it can lead to serious complications including heart failure and meningitis . it usually stats with rash due to tick bite and the rash soon disappears and other symptoms appear including neuropathy , arthritis and muscle pain . I recommend you get a blood test to detect antibodies against Lyme disease bacteria . if test came back positive then treatment is started with antibiotics as doxycycline or amoxicillin . I hope you find this helpful

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (3 hours later)

Thank you doctor. I should have those tests back soon and hopefully reveal what's been going on. I feel a bit better today than I have the last 4.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
thank you sir, glad I was able to help, kind regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (3 hours later)

Hi doctor it's XXXXXXX again. Just wanted to let you know I got the lab results for my blood work back. I tested negative for Lymes. Everything else looks good although my cholesterol came in at 288 and calcium was a 10.3.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ator once daily for a month

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX for the high cholesterol level you should take Ator 40 mg once daily for one month and then repeat the test.
as for the calcium level they appear high but in order to diagnose a hypercalcemia we should check first on the level of parathyroid hormone . so I suggest you take a blood test for parathyroid hormone level . I hope you find this helpful

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (3 hours later)

Thanks you. This has been very helpful doctor. I will get these tests done in the near future. I'm going to look for a family doctor in my area and hopefully get in with one fairly soon. In the meantime, is there some vitamins I can take to start to get a handle on this whole calcium serum thing doctor?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You should wait till you detect level of parathyroid hormone

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I don't recommend that you should take any medications without detecting your parathyroid hormone level in the first place.

Kind regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee