How Long Does HIV Virus Survive In The Outside Environment?

Posted on Mon, 11 Jul 2016

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

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 Answered on

Mon, 1 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : hi I was searching somertying in the trash i thought lost money and i was using glove I believe I got scarped by something I thing its clearly a plastic something not sure hiv???

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
based on the information, you are not likely to be infected by HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome.
I have gone through your query and do understand your concern.
But based on the information, you are not likely to be infected by HIV.
HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host, except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.
You are good , do not worry.
I'll provide you here link also you can go through it. http://helpline.aidsvancouver.org/what-we-do/helpline/online/how-much-seconds-or-minutes-exactly-hiv-virus-remains-alive-outside-human.
Hope this helps
Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (4 hours later)

It does thanks there is one lady where I work at I saw quite of times and I wanted to ask for faxebook I saw her Saturday but never asked her though she was with someone else another coworker now I did know if I had any sexual contact with her so this was at work like in ghe morning I believe now Sunday I think she was off though the problem is there's renovation going on for s couple months now should j get tested regarding this situation I know her first name but not last if she dies have facebook what do u say thanks

I had confidence she was there on Sunday during the day of night but was not if it wasn't for ghe renovation I would see her again but everyone is laid off from the wmployment temporarily nkw I'm ghibk did I have sex with her ?????? I just don't know or do I worry a lot !?? Now I have wait quite a while if I see her again Sinxe the renovation is going on at my employment what would u do

When I'm thinking about this event my body feels weird ????

but the thing is i don't know if there were god forbid sharp things in the trash I did use gloves and like I stated the trash was fairly new So should get tested still thanks you know know what i mean sharps like what doctors use for patients like needles apparently northing was like that cause I threw the garbage on the ground and apparently did not see anything like this

or a i making my self crazy this was at my workpllace where did this happen at the poolside the trash was faIRLY NEW

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
relax, you are not infected

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome.
Do not panic or be anxious.
As said earlier, you are not infected.
If you are very anxious, for your own satisfaction, you can get yourself tested at local lab.
Hope this helps
Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (5 hours later)

I trust u!!! Thanks little over protected

How about the inquiry situation with this worker get tested?? I don't recall

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

You can try. But I won't be able to provide you any suggestions regarding this.

Hope this helps
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (2 hours later)

What do u mean u can't leave feedback on the woman situation

Idont know if I had sex or not with her this was in public

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you can enquire her

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
You can enquire her.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (49 minutes later)

whats enquire mean

Seriously I was throwing garbage out and this got more I'm bleeding a bit see this piece i was bleeding like a dot get tested????

is this an hiv threat

see that item sticking up

well this was at a restaurant iffanything happened I would get talked about

You think I did anything ??? Hi. Test

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
find the answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi
You had asked, previously -- How about the inquiry situation with this worker get tested?
And in my view, you can enquire / ask her what happened if you are able to meet this lady again.

Brief Answer:
you are unlikely to be infected

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your picture.
As mentioned in the first post --- HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host, except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.
You are unlikely to be infected.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (8 hours later)

What u thkbk it is ????

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
It is a bent nail I guess.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It looks like a bent metal nail.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (2 hours later)

Sure?? Confident

Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes sure

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes sure
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj