Hey guys, have a quick question for you. I just got back from the dentist, and I am freaking out a little. So at the end of the appointment, the dental hygenist was showing me the propper way to floss and she demonstrated on herself, putting a piece of floss between her teeth. I was sitting in the chair. When she took the floss off, she was flicking it around and I felt it touch the side of my hair.
Here is why I am worried: what if the floss had blood on it, resonable since it was inbetween her teeth, and when the floss came in contact with my hair, fresh, wet blood got in my hair? Can it soak into my hair and stay in it? Will a simple shower in hot water wash the blood out, or do I need to do something more drastic? Do I need to cut out the part of my hair that came into contact with the blood?
Can I get HIV or Hep C if the gal was infected, I took a shower and some got inmy, let's say, eye or mouth. Can I get it if if it stays in my hai? Please help.
Thanks
2007-01-23 16:59:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Those viruses die within a few minutes of hitting the air first of all. Second of all, you can contract them through your hair. Your hair isn't alive and has nothing to do with your blood, which is were these things would need to go to infect you. Plus, if she's a dental hygienist, I'm guessing her gums are in good shape and are not bleeding when she's flossing (since healthy gums don't). All in all, i think you're safe. But i really think you should do some actual research into the diseases so you're not needlessly afraid, because while it was gross, it wasn't dangerous.
2007-01-23 17:06:53 · answer #1 · answered by MichelleLynn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As everyone else stated, the possiblity is virtually non existent...However, it is possible to transmit the HIV virus via toothbrushes, floss and etc., but only if the person infected uses that particular item on a cut, scrape, or some other wound. The other person could become infected by introducing that person's blood to their own body via cuts (even tiny ones), sexual contact and the like. Unless you have a cut on your head in the same area the floss hit you and not much hair covering that area, you shouldn't have to worry.
Also, just because the floss was used by a dentist doesn't mean he/she didn't have a cut in their mouth that would come in contact with the floss. One can cut their mouth, gums and etc with food, opening something with their mouth, a canker sore, a bit lip and etc.
But, again, it's highly unlikey you could be exposed to that virus in the manner you described.
2007-01-23 17:17:08 · answer #2 · answered by cafegrrrl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if she was infected, which is highly unlikely. But no, there is simply not enough HIV viruses in a drop of blood, and the virus is incapable of getting into skin. Your hair is also made up of dead cells, so HIV is incapable of living off it long enough to make it inside your body.
I might also point out that there is a strong possibility it never actually touched you. You saw her flick it around and felt nervous because in your mind you imagined her hitting you with it. So much so that your mind may have even "felt" her hit you with it when she actually never even came close. Your mind may have imagined it. I'm not saying that is definitely what happened, but dentists are usually very careful (out of fear of a lawsuit), not to do things like that. It might have happened, but even so there is absolutely no danger here of HIV or any other STD haven't gotten you on this one.
2007-01-23 17:12:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You honestly do no longer want to be worried. The HIV virus is very fragile -- if it were on the wall lengthy sufficient for the blood to dry, the virus might want to have died. even with the actuality that that your moist hair did by some ability "reactivate" the virus -- which, I assure you, is really no longer conceivable -- you may ought to ought to have an open (as in presently bleeding) wound on your head to be in probability for an infection from a blood-bourne ailment. in case you nonetheless experience icky about probable having some different person's blood on your head, by technique of all ability, take yet another bathe, yet even that's unecessary. honestly do not do some thing extra drastic.
2016-12-02 23:40:10 · answer #4 · answered by schiavone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just wash. The chance of anything like your thinking is 1 in trillion.
2007-01-23 17:04:51 · answer #5 · answered by CHUCK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is EXTREMELY unlikely for you to have contracted HIV because not only does it need to be blood to blood or human fluid to open wound to do damage, HIV doesn't do too well when exposed to oxygen.
2007-01-23 17:03:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW dont worry you need an open wound to have even a remote chance of transfer
2007-01-23 17:12:16 · answer #7 · answered by keefer_monster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is that easy to transmit. Don't worry so much. Do some reading on the Internet about it and it will stop your worrying.
2007-01-23 17:03:23 · answer #8 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash your hair and you need never think about it again.
2007-01-23 17:09:10 · answer #9 · answered by biancajh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bob your going to be okay. Your not going to get HIV.
2007-01-23 17:09:18 · answer #10 · answered by . 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋