Would like to know if I need to get tested

[romchik]

Hello Doc,

Thanks for taking my question.
Yesterday I was working with a day laborer from Mexico. During a lunch break he drank a bottle of beer and put the empty bottle on the ground. About 15 seconds after that I picked up this bottle and threw it into a trash can but missed it and the bottle broke. I then picked it up with my hands and placed it into the trash can. About a minute later I noticed that I have a cut and it's bleeding.  I then looked at the bottle after that and there was no traces of visible blood on it. The worker told me that he disease free(although I am not sure of how familiar he is with HIV) and he looks healthy.

I am not sure if I cut myself on the bottle or not but in the case I did  - what is my risk for HIV or hepatitis?
Wouldn't any HIV on the bottle die during the 15 seconds that the bottle was exposed to air?
I did read that saliva is not a good carrier for HIV. Is that so?
Can I be with my wife or should I get tested first?

Please advice

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry to hear of your mishap in efforts to do a good deed.  The cut on your hand will have no consequences for you in terms of HIV or hepatitis.  You are correct that oral secretions represent a hostile environment for secretions and the open air is even harder on them. Thus, even if he had HIV or hepatitis (unlikely) and even if he was REALLY sloppy, had the virus been there is would not be viable and you would not be at risk.  You do not need to worry.  You do not need testing to evaluate your risk from the exposure you describe.  Hope this helps. EWH

[romchik]

Thanks a lot for your response!

G-d bless you!