What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Inanimate Objects?

Posted on Sun, 24 Aug 2014

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

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 Answered on

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Recently I was had body massage with Chinese girl. This involved coin rubbing called Gua XXXXXXX methods. About 30 seconds after she starts rubbing, I asked her to stop because I believe she use only one coin for every bodies. If previously customer have hiv, and the coin is carrying blood on it, can I get the risk of infection. It was no fresh blood on my back but red strips of extravasated can be visible.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The risk of transmission is less

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Gua XXXXXXX method involves friction stroking. When it is used on one individual there is friction with the skin resulting in graze abrasion and blood coming in contact with the coin. When blood comes in contact with inanimate objects for longer time, the HIV virus does not persist for longer time.
If the coin is immediately used on different individual there is risk of transmission. The risk is 1 in every 1000 that is less than 0.01%. The risk is comparatively very low as compared to other common methods of transmission.

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCh

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (9 hours later)

I didn't see any process of cleaning the coin thats why I asked her to stop. There was a time gap of at lease 10 minutes between me and previous customer.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The risk of transmission is low

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Greetings

The risk of transmission is very low.
I would suggest you to refrain from such massage technique.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak

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