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Bloody Knuckles

Hello - I was involved in a pretty bad fist fight the other day, in which my knuckles were bloodied.  I was quite intoxicated so I don't really remember how much of the blood was mine, but my knuckles are still definitely cut up today.  I also had a substantial amount of blood on my shirt.  I have no clue of the past history of the men that I exchanged blows with, but should I have anything to be worried about, infection-wise?  Do I need to go get tested?
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would discount John's report.  The person in question was tested a 6 month intervals during which he continued to use IV drugs and during which he may or may not have continued to have sex with others (there are no statements in the report about his sexual activity. There are many reasons to discount this single case report.   I stand by my statement.  If somehting like this has ever happened, and it may have, the risk is somewhere on the order of your risk of being hit by lighteningYou do not need to worry.  EWH
Helpful - 1
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, this does not put you at risk for HIV.  For starters, it is unlikely that your opponents had HIV.  Secondly, even if they did, it is unlikely that this sort of exchange would lead to HIV transmission.  (When HIV is spread through blood it is when the blood containing the virus is injected deep into tissue, not through superficial wounds) Such transmission has not been reported and we have had many questions similar to your in the past.

On the other hand, I would point out that the bacteria in the mouth can cause serious infections.  If your cuts begin to get read or look infected, please go and seek medical care.   Antibiotics are sometimes needs for these serious infections.  

Take care.  EWH
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Is there any legitimacy to John's posts?  I had cuts on a few of my knuckles, but not to the extent that I bandaged them afterwards.  Thanks for your input and help!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
http://www.conflictandhealth.com/content/2/1/8
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You deserve more information. This is a case study where 2 brothers contracted the disease after a bloody fist fight. You have a right to know.

http://ijsa.rsmjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/2/131
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