How Is HIV Transmitted?

Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014

Question: Hello doctor
Last week I had gone for haircut . While I was waiting for my chance a small boy came in with his parents . (Hardly 2-3 years old).
He repeatedly came and hugged me several times. Out of affection I pulled his cheeks. I observed he had some dark red or brown color stains around his lips. That time I thought it must be dry stain of some food he might have had. But now I am worried of it being blood.
The problem is after 10-15 mins I was done with after haircut and left for home and unknown I put those fingers in my mouth with which I touched his cheeks.
I don't know whether the little guys was hiv positive or not .
Please help I am scared .
Please .

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nee not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

There is no chance of HIV spread with the mode you explained above. Even in the child is positive for HIV, Virus does not remain viable for more than 3 to 4 min in the blood.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (6 minutes later)

I had my complete blood count and was checked for all stds last month. It came out to be normal

So I don't need to go for hiv test after 2 months again right ? I don't need to be worried

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to be tested

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There is no need to be tested.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (15 hours later)

So it means the virus does not remain active after 3-4 mins once it is exposed to air ? And I had touched those stain marks on his face too. Still there is no danger ?

I had touched those stain marks on his face and then unknowingly I put those fingers in my mouth maybe 5-10 mins later .
Still I am out of danger right ?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No chance of getting infection

Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the delayed reply.

There is no chance that you got infected with HIV in this manner.

Firstly those stains have to be blood. If those were really blood, they were most probably dried blood in which HIV would not have survived. In case that was fresh blood, still you took 10 min to put your fingers in your mouth. HIV had no chance of getting into you.

Hope this helps.”

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (3 minutes later)

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using this service.

Regards,

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

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