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How Long Can HIV Or Hepatitis Virus Survive On Surgical Tools?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014
Question: How long can HIV or hepatitis live on surgical tools
doctor
Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
For HIV in minutes for hepatitis it is in days

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting a question . I am Dr Matin and will be answering your question
There is no one specific time point that the HIV survives outside the body. But we can say that the HIV will normally live only for several minutes. The more body fluid that there is, the longer the virus will survive outside the body. But normally, within a few minutes, the virus will be dead. The longer the virus is outside the body, the weaker the virus gets, and the less the chance of transmission.
As an example, if we take a small drop of blood outside the body, the blood will dry rapidly and the virus will die rapidly. If we have a large quantity of blood outside the body, it will take longer for the blood to dry, and therefore, longer for the virus to die. The HIV cannot live in dried blood. Luckily, the virus has evolved to survive only in the specific environment inside the human body. Once we take it out of the human body, it cannot survive. We can think with an example A great white shark in it's normal environment, is a killing machine.If we take that same shark and take it out of the water. The shark will be dead within a very short period of time and become totally harmless. HIV is the same way. In the human body, it is a killing machine. If we take it outside of the human body, it dies rapidly, and becomes totally harmless.
So we can say that HIV can't survive more than few minutes on surgical tools .

Now let us talk about Hepatitis transmitted through blood which is mainly caused by B and C viruses .
HBV (Hepatitis B Virus ) is a hardy virus that can persist in dried blood as against HIV on surfaces for a week or more; infectious HBV can be present on surfaces even in the absence of visible blood. It can be stable on environmental surfaces for at least 7 days, and indirect inoculation of HBV can occur via inanimate objects like hospital equipment by contact with mucous membranes or open skin breaks.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can survive on environmental surfaces outside the body at room temperature for at least 16 hours but no more than 4 days. So surgical tools tinged with blood that is infected with the hepatitis C virus , can still be contagious if there is blood-to-blood contact within this time frame.

Hope this helps.




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (45 minutes later)
So what are the chances of getting something from a urethral dilation it was done in my dr office everything was out I imagined the dr would sterilize the tools I also had a a procedure with a camera to look at bladder

But all surgical tools has to be sterilized all dr office has a sterile all their equipment
doctor
Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No chances

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting follow up queries.
All surgical equipments are sterilized before any interventional procedure .
During the process of all pathogens die including HIV/hepatitis virus.
You are safe and there is no chances of any infection . REST ASSURED about it.
Hope this is helpful.
Be safe and healthy
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (8 hours later)
Is it ok to do the cystoscopy and dilation in dr office lets just say dr didn't sterilized tools right what are the chances of getting HIV or hepatitis sorry to ask I have anxiety about my health thank u
doctor
Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Difficult to predict

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can understand your anxiety. It is unethical for a doctor to have his /her instruments not sterilized, so rest assured, every doctor keeps in his office all instruments perfectly sterilized. They have sterilizing equipment in their office. If you are in doubt, please confirm with the clinic staff about sterilization. You don't stand a chance to get HIV/Hepatitis through such office procedures.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1987

Answered : 298 Questions

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How Long Can HIV Or Hepatitis Virus Survive On Surgical Tools?

Brief Answer: For HIV in minutes for hepatitis it is in days Detailed Answer: Thanks for posting a question . I am Dr Matin and will be answering your question There is no one specific time point that the HIV survives outside the body. But we can say that the HIV will normally live only for several minutes. The more body fluid that there is, the longer the virus will survive outside the body. But normally, within a few minutes, the virus will be dead. The longer the virus is outside the body, the weaker the virus gets, and the less the chance of transmission. As an example, if we take a small drop of blood outside the body, the blood will dry rapidly and the virus will die rapidly. If we have a large quantity of blood outside the body, it will take longer for the blood to dry, and therefore, longer for the virus to die. The HIV cannot live in dried blood. Luckily, the virus has evolved to survive only in the specific environment inside the human body. Once we take it out of the human body, it cannot survive. We can think with an example A great white shark in it's normal environment, is a killing machine.If we take that same shark and take it out of the water. The shark will be dead within a very short period of time and become totally harmless. HIV is the same way. In the human body, it is a killing machine. If we take it outside of the human body, it dies rapidly, and becomes totally harmless. So we can say that HIV can't survive more than few minutes on surgical tools . Now let us talk about Hepatitis transmitted through blood which is mainly caused by B and C viruses . HBV (Hepatitis B Virus ) is a hardy virus that can persist in dried blood as against HIV on surfaces for a week or more; infectious HBV can be present on surfaces even in the absence of visible blood. It can be stable on environmental surfaces for at least 7 days, and indirect inoculation of HBV can occur via inanimate objects like hospital equipment by contact with mucous membranes or open skin breaks. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can survive on environmental surfaces outside the body at room temperature for at least 16 hours but no more than 4 days. So surgical tools tinged with blood that is infected with the hepatitis C virus , can still be contagious if there is blood-to-blood contact within this time frame. Hope this helps.