Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

casual exposure question

hi,

is it possible to catch hiv from smoking a cigarette with hiv+ blood on it while having a wound inside the mouth, i also have bleeding gums. the thing is i was on vacation recently in germany and shook hands with an hiv + (he told me about this during our conversation) person in a local bar. (at that time i didn't think of anything since i know how hiv is transmitted) about 10 mins later i smoked a cigarette with the same hand. i was drunk and didn't check if there were any blood or cuts in his hands. would you advise testing for an event like this?
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Ok. I don't get it. You have been told multiple times that what happened was NOT a risk for acquiring HIV. Yet, you continue to argue and question the answers you were given. It almost sounds like the answer you REALLY want is that is WAS a risk. Why would you want that? I don't understand. Chima7 has given you the best advice so far, my recommendation is to get some professional mental health assistance this kind of obsessive thoughts are NOT normal.
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
ok, thanks everyone, i won't ask anymore, i have my doubts slapped out from me
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks for the replies, i read a case about a woman, hiv was transmitted by manicure equipment, shared with her cousin (i guess because of blood) so hiv does live outside the body for some time but would you say 10 - 15 mins be enough for the virus to get inactive? also i touched different surfaces between the time of the handshake and lighting the cigarette, so this would weaken the virus?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You had ZERO risk. If you want to see a doctor about this, you'd better make it a psychiatrist because that's the only kind of medical help you need for this. Any kind of testing for this is a pointless waste of time and money, so if you're going to go spend money on this fruitless worrying you might as well do something useful and talk to a professional psych doctor to figure out why you're obsessing over a no risk situation.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you have no risk.  The only reason to see a doctor would be get reassurance that you had no risk.  

There has only been one documented wound transfer and that took knife cuts deep lacerations, and flowing blood.   That's what it would take. (Happened in Canada).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
my situation is turning into a bit of a nightmare, i've been in a long relationship with my girlfriend and we'll get married very soon and thinking of starting a family with children, by having unprotected sex with her i would transmit hiv to her if i had it because of the event that i described, would you advise seeing a doctor for this sort of exposure?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
no risk.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
any answers from someone else? this is really worrying me please help..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The mouth and saliva contain a lot of protein and enzymes that will neutralize the virus. This a medical study you can check on the internet.
Plus, HIV is a fragile virus that can only live in body fluids such as semen, blood, vaginal fluids. It can not live in air, saliva, sweat or tears
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
don't get me wrong but is there someone from the medical world that can answer this? i know that the survival of the virus depends on many things. is the mouth a hostile environment for the virus? and it gets inactive with air and saliva once it is inside?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No need for testing, you can not contract hiv this way
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.