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Should I Be Concerned About Potential HIV Transmission From A Used Toothpick Which Accidentally Pricked My Shoulder?

Posted on Thu, 20 Jun 2024

Question: my friend had a toothpick i believe he picked me with it in my shoulder area yesterday all i know it was in his mouth however he threw it away now is that a risk for anything like HIV testing i have a little mark i believe

Answered by Dr. Sunny Madar (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Theoretically this is possible , as explained below

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

There are few things which can help like, is your friend is high risk person [means involve in blood transfusion or health care worker or multiple sexual partner] then you need to be tested surely and most importantly is there is any bleeding on your shoulder [if clot is formed] then also need to be tested, or your friend is HIV positive then you need prophylaxis with antiviral tablets and need to be tested also, [As gums usually bleed with toothpicks and important thing is your blood comes in contact with his blood or not. By considering all these things it can be decided what is to be done next.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if I can assist further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Sunny Madar (8 minutes later)

i think it was a new toothpick than he put in his mouth i think he had it in his hand

Answered by Dr. Sunny Madar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If you are 100% sure it is new, not put in mouth even once, then no need to be tested

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If you are 100% sure its new and not used by him even once then no need to be tested, also once get confirmation from him about all that I mentioned above. Otherwise as I mentioned above see all those things.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if i can assist you further. Thanks.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Sunny Madar (8 hours later)

he said it was new it was in his hands than i made contact with it than afterwards he put in his mouth than threw it away but the thing is i don’t want to harp on it hd said it was new that’s all with it being in the mouth before the contact don’t know what should i do i don’t want to harass him with this subject i asked him a few times regarding it.

i asked him in the morning was it new or used hd said new apparently what you think honestly.

Answered by Dr. Sunny Madar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
If it's not used, no need to be tested

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If it's new no need to be tested, if you are suspicious about your friend behavior and if toothpick use, you can go for counselling (Aids unit).

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. LAKSHMI

Follow up: Dr. Sunny Madar (16 hours later)

what’s aids unit

Answered by Dr. Sunny Madar (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Go to AHF units

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

AHF units are working for testing and also they will guide if counselling is needed and can test if required too.

Thanks.

Regards

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana