My friend Friend just pricked me with the steel toothpick.. can I get HIV?

[Arnabgoswami]

Hello Everyone,  I am from India, My friend Friend just pricked me with the steel toothpick, which he uses for cleaning teeths.. and I have not bleeding even I don't see any injury on my hand from this, so Can I get HIV from that ?

[GuitarRox]

No, this is not a risk for HIV.  First, you'd know if your friend had HIV, right?  This would come up along the course of conversation?  But regardless if they did or did not have HIV, you can eat with them and be stabbed with their metal toothpick without worry.  :))  This isn't how people get HIV.  HIV is transmitted in very specific ways.  Adults who get HIV have had to have had unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse with penetration or sharing IV drug needles.  Air inactivates the virus. The metal toothpick is exposed to air even if very briefly.  And saliva also inactivates the virus due to enzymes in it. So, picking at the teeth has that situation as well.  So, you will never get HIV from something like a toothpick.  Wear condoms for intercourse and you will never have to fear HIV.