HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can HIV Be Transmitted Through Touching An Open Wound?

default
Posted on Thu, 4 May 2017
Question: hello, today i came across someone with an open cut. I cannot remember if my hand touched the cut but if it did here is the story. i have a fungus on my hand of dry skin. because i peeled the dry skin off in a little section it had a dot of blood. very small dot. the woman i hugged had a cut looked fresh because she was picking at it on her fore arm. is it possible i could contracted hiv?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
There is no risk

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist and venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.

HIV transmission not possible. There is no risk. It has to be an actively bleeding wound for any chance for it to transmit HIV. A small cut usually seals itself in a few hours and unless it is actively bleeding it has no risk. Moreover, the virus has to innoculate directly into the blood stream for it to infect so chaffing or peeling does not make the skin permeable to HIV.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 minutes later)
because what i have is a fungus/exzema on my hand. i peeled in maybe 5 10 minutes before the encounter with the woman who had a fresh cut on her fore arm. the peeled skin allowed my skin to bleed but only like a dot no more than that.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No risk of Hiv

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Unless the woman had fresh actively bleeding wound on her forearm there is absolutely no risk at all. Moreover, a small dot like superficial wound on your hand would also have self sealed in a few minutes. Also, the HIV virus cannot survive exposure to air for more than a few seconds and dies quickly on drying.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (57 minutes later)
So we both have to be actively bleeding in order to transmit hiv?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, the virus would have gained entry into body only if she was actively bleeding and if that infected blood possibly came in contact with a fresh bleeding cut on your hand. Even then the risk of transmission is extremely low.

Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

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

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can HIV Be Transmitted Through Touching An Open Wound?

Brief Answer: There is no risk Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist and venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern. HIV transmission not possible. There is no risk. It has to be an actively bleeding wound for any chance for it to transmit HIV. A small cut usually seals itself in a few hours and unless it is actively bleeding it has no risk. Moreover, the virus has to innoculate directly into the blood stream for it to infect so chaffing or peeling does not make the skin permeable to HIV. Regards