Would a volunteer working in disaster areas get HIV if he accidentally touches a person with full blown AIDS?

Question

The volunteers do get legs & arms injuries/scratches whilst working in disater areas esp.earthquakes buiding collapses etc.

Answer 1

No.

As other have said, HIV transmisison requires much more than "touching" a person with "full blown AIDS". It requires the exchange of infected bodily fluids; blood, semen, vaginal excretions, breast milk, etc. This isn't the Star Trek episode that depicted an illness that was transmitted though sweat.

Also, HIV lives for a very short time outside the body--mere seconds at most; not 24 hours.

Finally, if merely touching someone with AIDS could transmit HIV many, many more people would have HIV. More than likely, we all know someone with HIV or knows someone who knows someone or knows someone who knows someone who knows.... well, you get the idea....

Answer 2

Only if he came into contact with blood or other body fluids with an open wound. But it would need to be fresh for the HIV to be alive as it dies outside the body rapidly but there are other blood borne pathogens that can survive so it is important to be careful. I'm told if you get a wound and it becomes contaminated or you suspect it has to make it bleed and use warm water to wash so bleeding doesn't slow down but of course within reason. It is always risky to work in a disaster area but the rewards are great.

Answer 3

There has to be bodily fluid exchange through those OPEN wounds and a fairly significant amount at that. If this person is this uneducated on AIDS/HIV maybe they better just stay put. This day in age there is no excuse for being uneducated on the subject.

Answer 4

If the man had a way for the Hiv to enter his system yes. But if it was only the patient injured, the risk is pretty low. HIV can live 24 hours outside the body. But there is some risk

Answer 5

I have a friend with HIV, we have drank from the same glass, shared food, shared clothes, hugged, kissed, wrestled etc etc....and I have never been concerned. On a side note a person with full blown aids is in more danger from touching you, then you are from being touched by them.

Answer 6

I believe it has to do with their fluids getting into an open wound or mouth or eyes of the recipient.

Answer 7

Not unless they are both bleeding, have open wounds on their bodies, or in their mouths and they are making out. If none of this, then no... Be safe, protect ones self, but don't freak out and stop helping because of fear.

Answer 8

If they had an open wound too and the blood mixed

Answer 9

You have to mingle blood. Touching is not enough.