nonsexual question

[oskish]

Hello everybody, I would be happy if you can help me, it looks like this is the first time I experienced this "HIV fear" which seems to be overwhelming :(. Yesterday I have had a business meeting, and my business partner had some (bad looking) eczema on his hands. We shook hands, then reviewed papers, signed a contract (using the same pen) etc... well and what I am afraid of. All the time I tried not to pay attention to the eczema, I went through Hep B a few years ago when I also experienced an anxiety disorder episode (blood born illnesses)... Through the meeting I was thinking all the time, you can be calm, your skin is intact. And I actually was. But then, after the meeting I found a scratch on my finger, little bleeding, itching etc, some 5 mm long, of course rather superficial. and the questions in my head started. He handed me the pen, was his eczema bleeding, if yes did the blood touch my cut? etc etc.. Please should I get tested in this case? (If I assume the cut was fresh/open during the meeting, he touched it with his hand and/or we shared the pen, touched the same things etc)... thank you for your help!

[Vance2335]

Did you read how HIV is transmitted?

[oskish]

hello, thank you, I much calmer, but just one more thing, even if the eczema was some kind of wet-like (maybe little bleeding)? I am very happy and appreciate much you have answered so soon, I couldnt sleep whole night...

[Teak]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug users
Mother to child