What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Accidental Injury During A Manicure?

Posted on Wed, 23 Dec 2015

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

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 Answered on

Fri, 8 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Yesterday I had a manicure done the tech cut me with an electric file 3 spots. Small cut but blood did appear. What is the likelihood I could get HIV if she used the same file on a pos. person and they were cut and bleed too. another doctor I spoke to online said over 50% and I should seek medical attention

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Extremely rare possibility of HIV infection transmission

Detailed Answer:
Hi Vicdeflorio,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. I am aware of a single incident reported in medical research where a 22 year old lady got HIV infection by using manicure instruments previously used by her cousin. You can read the complete article using the link given below

http://yyyyyyyyyy.yyyyyyyyyyyy.com/yyyyyyyyyyy/yyyyyyyyyyyy/10.1089/aid.2014.0264

2. The above case highlights that HIV infection can be transmitted through manicure instruments and this is a rare event.

3. It is extremely unlikely that you have been infected by HIV from the manicure yesterday but I too recommend that you seek medical attention within 72 hours from the event.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar