HIV Infection & Blood?

Question

Hey guys have a question for you, it may seem a little weird, but please help. I borrowed a pen and forgot to return. When I got in my car, I noticed I had the pen. I then saw that one it was a splotch of dried blood, like a little clump or ball. I was going to throw it off an wash my hands, but the clump of blood fell on he cloth seat of my car. Tomorrow, I am having the interior shampooed, I already had the appointment, but now I am worried that when that blood becomes wet in the interior, it might active something in the blood, i.e. HIV and Hep C. I am worried that my car seats will then have HIV or Hep C. on them? Is this a realistic threat? Am I at any risk? Should I cancel my appt. tomorrow? Please help.
Thanks

Answer 1

Good concern Bob.

HIV does not live outside of the body. Hepatitis does.

Answer 2

no even if there is HIV or any form of hep on the blood you will not be infected because this are blood borne diseases so that unless you have an open wound that has touched that blood, you are safe most especially if you have complete vaccinations against all forms of hep then you are completely fine. HIV is only contagious while blood is fresh will that is already dried blood in there buddy. however, have your car seat changed if that is possible (im not very knowledgeable with cars) but you will have to get rid of that blood stain at all cost. relax. :-)

Answer 3

Bob, you're freaking out a little bit. Don't worry so much about catching AIDS/HIV/Hep C from a dried blood spot, you pretty much can't. Look into talking with a health professional to have them help you understand what risks you take from blood if you're still worried, but in general, dried blood, not exposed to a mucous membrane, open wound or 'orifice' is pretty safe to just clean up as best you can with any kind of cleaner.

Answer 4

HIV and most others die when they are exposed to the air and the blood dries. As long as it wasn't fresh blood that got into a cut or wound on you - you'll be fine. Just to make yourself feel better, blast it with some Lysol and leave it wet for about 10-15 min. Either before or after the cleaning.

Answer 5

If the clump of blood was dried out, than I am certain that you have nothing to worry about it. If there was an infection there it would have died out without having fresh blood. HIV would surely be of no threat because that virus cannot survive in the presnce of oxygen.

Answer 6

The only sure indicator if you are HIV positive or negative is a HIV test. Nothing else.

Answer 7

bob, you're fine. HIV is transmitted through sexual fluids, as is hep c. you can get both of them through blood, but that'd pretty much have to be from a transfusion. in your situation the blood would have to be, first of all, actuall infected. then the virus would have to survive, which is unlikely in dried blood. then it would have to get INTO your body, actually, into your blood stream.

Answer 8

you're fine. there's a greater chance of you finding 3 billion dollars and paris hilton at your doorsteps that you catching aids like that. i know its possible, but 99.99999999999% of aids contaminations happen through sex so as long as you use condoms you should be safe from aids and std's. you should be safe from hep c cause im pretty sure they gave you life dosage of vaccines when you were a baby.

Answer 9

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/transmission.htm

Answer 10

stop worrying, nothing is going to happen to you or your car.