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Can I catch HIV from objects used or touched by HIV-positive people?
I am very curious if one can catch HIV from objects used by HIV-positive people. There is one time, in a restroom, I asked a stranger for paper towels because there is no paper towels in my cell. He gave me the paper towels, and then I used it to wipe my anus, after wiping, I found that there is some blood the paper probably because I wiped too hard. Is there a risk in such situation? Would there be any factor that can increase the risk in such a situation? Thanks.
Touching objects poses no risk for HIV. The virus is quite fragile and is inactivated by air. Transmission takes place inside the body through either unprotected vaginal or anal (penetrating) intercourse or sharing of IV drug needles. So, being around someone with HIV and touching their things will not give someone else HIV.
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