Can you get HIV through this?

Question

Say there was blood on an object. ex: a wall or on a table or even on the sidewalk. and that blood had HIV on it and you happen to scrape your arm across that and the skin broke and you touched that blood. Is it possible to contract HIV through this? I've never had this happened to me but if i did what would i expect?

Answer 1

Theoretically possible but very unlikely. The HIV virus is quite fragile and rapidly dies on exposure to air. So unless the blood is very very fresh, it is extremely unlikely that the virus would be alive to infect you.

If this did happen to you, then it would be advisible to (1) wash the wound for at least 15 minutes in soapy water then clean running water to wash off any of the blood and (2) get to a hospital ASAP and get preventative treatment. There are modern treatments which are very effective at preventing infection from taking hold if they are administered within a few hours of exposure. They are used for medical staff, for example, if they get a needlestick injury from a dirty needle.

Answer 2

The virus will not survive outside the body for more than a few minutes, so it is extremely unlikely.
Anytime you injure yourself on a 'dirty' object [ anything that is not fresh out of the dishwasher ] you should scrub thoroughly with soap and warm water, and cover it.
Keep an eye on it for any infection, and be sure your tetanus shot is up to date.

Answer 3

There is a lot of "ifs" in your question. The chance of being infected this way would take so many things happening at once that it would be near impossible. You shouldn't even be thinking of worrying about it.

Answer 4

Yes.

But not a very likely scenario.

ANY CUT SHOULD BE CLEAN WITH ANTI-SEPTIC SOLUTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE .

THEN YOU MUST APPLY ANTISEPTIC CREAM AND PUT A BAN AID ON IT TO KEEP IT COVERED.

Answer 5

yes you can