I accidentally skinned myself (top layer of skin peeled off a little, no blood came out, cut is not visible aside from the piece of dry skin hanging there) with sharp edge. is that considered a possible port of entry for hiv or other disease?

Question

At work I picked up a item and it had what looked like dry blood on it but could have been anything. I have some small cuts on my hands but Im pretty sure nothing got on my skin but I washed my hands afterwards just to be safe. Hiv/hepatitis risk?

Answer 1

Infection: Broken skin can act as a portal of infection for many types of germs. However, you would have to come in contact with infecting organisms for transmission to occur. For instance, if you have a fresh wound, it could become infected if blood contaminated with HIV comes in direct contact with it.

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Answer 2

Not HIV: HIV cannot be transmitted through above mentioned mechanism unless fresh contaminated blood on the edge, the virus does not live on inanimate surfaces or in the air. There is still a risk for transmission for other germs and the wound should be watched closely until healed.

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Answer 3

Agree with Dr, F: You cannot get HIV from just having a wound, without exposure to the virus. Apply triple antibiotic ointment and apply a bandaid. You may consider getting a booster shot of tetanus, it the wound was exposed to dirt. Have a healthy diet, exercise 30 minutes/day, drink plenty of water daily so your urine is mostly colorless, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs.

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I accidentally skinned myself (top layer of skin peeled off a little, no blood came out, cut is not visible aside from the piece of dry skin hanging there) with sharp edge. is that considered a possible port of entry for hiv or other disease?

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