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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Much Blood In Mouth Is Needed To Transfer HIV?

I was giving an employee a subq tb shot in forearm. When i pushed the medication into her arm she moved and some of the medication (tb med) sprayed out to the sides while it was still in her arm. I didnt see blood spraying or feel anything on my face. There was a small drop of blood when i pulled the needle out of her arm. My question is, if there would have been some blood mixed with the med and it sprayed in my mouth would i have tasted it? How much blood in mouth is needed to transfer hiv? Am i at risk?
Tue, 16 Sep 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
Since you are a personal working in medical department or health worker , so this is good for you to know about many things.
Saliva ( in the mouth ) contains endogenous antiviral factors;among these factors ,HIV-specific immunoglobulins of IgA, IgG and IgM isotype are detected readily in salivary secretions of INFECTED individuals.
Anyhow, blood even contaminated can't transmit disease due to saliva present in mouth as it contains antiviral factors.
Factors that might be associated with mucocutaneous transmission ( in mouth ) of HIV include exposure to LARGE QUANTITY OF BLOOD , , prolonged contact and a potential portal of entry.
But in your case there was a drop ( if maximum that too in doubt ) .
As your patient was a tubercular but not HIV confirmed ( so she was not in advanced stage of HIV infection , so no risk).
Hope this will help you and in my opinion you are not at risk .
Good luck.
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How Much Blood In Mouth Is Needed To Transfer HIV?

Hello Since you are a personal working in medical department or health worker , so this is good for you to know about many things. Saliva ( in the mouth ) contains endogenous antiviral factors;among these factors ,HIV-specific immunoglobulins of IgA, IgG and IgM isotype are detected readily in salivary secretions of INFECTED individuals. Anyhow, blood even contaminated can t transmit disease due to saliva present in mouth as it contains antiviral factors. Factors that might be associated with mucocutaneous transmission ( in mouth ) of HIV include exposure to LARGE QUANTITY OF BLOOD , , prolonged contact and a potential portal of entry. But in your case there was a drop ( if maximum that too in doubt ) . As your patient was a tubercular but not HIV confirmed ( so she was not in advanced stage of HIV infection , so no risk). Hope this will help you and in my opinion you are not at risk . Good luck.