comfused

on my previews question [3-20 -04 contamination] was: if i shaked hands with someone who had masturbated and he have not washed his hands, did i get any of his  sperms on my hand? can these [sperms]harm me? your answer was: no harm.Now i am really really comfused:touching someones [possible dead] sperms no harm,shaking hands with someone who has cold or virus why i can possible  get sick? please help me thangs.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Not all viruses are transmitted in the same fashion. Many so-called cold viruses, for example, can be transmitted through the air (e.g., when one person coughs and another breathes in a virus). Also, viruses vary in relation to their ability to live when exposed to air. The HIV virus can be transmitted when an infected person has sexual relations with another person, when an infected person shares a needle, during the process of transfusion (though this is not common now), and via an infected mother's breast milk. The HIV virus cannot survive in the environment, thus you do not see environmental transmission of it.

[justme]

Sperm is a type of cell and non-infectious.  Virus(es) like HIV can be transmitted in the fluids.  The same with cold and flu virii.  When determining risk however, there are several considerations.  Some kinds a more delicate and don't survive well - such as HIV.  This is one reason it's considered a 'sexual' disease; it basically must be transmitted through bodily fluids and fairly soon. If it were as virulent flu virus or could be transmitted through cough droplets or the air, then HIV would be far worse.  Besides that many cold and flu viruses are hardier (survive better), they are in tiny moisture droplets when you cough and sneeze.  Most people know to cover their mouth so they don't spread, but fail to wash their hands frequently enough afterwards.  

hope this helps