Blood in Nose

[trevor-nelson]

Heya Friends, actually I asked this question yesterday, however my topic turned into something else so I couldn't get an exact answer :) (no pun intended)

My question was:

If a "drop" of HIV+ blood from someones injury splatters and comes inside my nose, will that put me under risk? Saying if there is a small crack inside my nose skin where that blood directly contacted, or if that blood goes deep into my nose hole

for the details:

Also by this I'm tnot alking about the accidents that happen at hospitals during operations etc. My case was when the pizza guy came to my door to deliver my box, he had a drop of blood on his lip and while he was talking infront of me, it splatted and came into contact with my nose. There was small crack (because I pick my nose a lot) inside my nose skin where that drop of blood directly contacted. Can you help me with my question assuming the guy is HIV+? Also will something happen if that drop of blood goes deep down my nose hole?

[Teak]

No one has been identified as infected with HIV due to contact with an environmental surface. Additionally, 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.

[Cindy]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MEDHELP!!  

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Cindy

[Teak]

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[akakasey]

According to this website for health care workers, HIV transmission has occurred this way, where infected blood is splashed into the eyes or nose: http://www.radford.edu/fpc/Safety/faq/aids.htm

HIV can survive for minutes outside of the body.

[mike_no]

No Risk man, HIV can't happen that way !

You don't require any test, all you need to do is think rationally and forget about the incidence

[Joan123]

According to Dr. HHH (the expert here) this is considered a very low risk event, even if the pizza guy had HIV. If HIV could be transmitted so easily, it would be far more common than it is now, and of course would not be limited to people with the known risk factors.

Saliva inactivates HIV (including HIV in blood mixed with saliva), and swallowing HIV-infected blood or secretions is an inefficient transmission mechanism anyway. Besides the above you don't know for sure if that guy had HIV. If you are nervous about it, take a test at 6 weeks. It will help  ease your mind. Most infected people would show a positive result by then. And if you be extra sure  you could always take a follow up at 12 weeks(just for peace of mind). In the mean time know this is an unlikely situation.

[19_weeks_to_go]

No.  I read in another post that once the virus is exposed to air, it does not survive.  Just thought I'd put you at ease.  Best Wishes.