HIV From Used Utensils Soaked in Still Water

Hello doctors, I know that this scenario seems quite far-fetched. I work at a resturant, and the other day I was washing dishes. We usually throw used utensils into a bin to soak in water before we throw them into the dishwasher. I don't think any soap was in the bin the utensils were in. Anyway, when I was taking the utensils out of the bin, one of my fingers went into the water. I sometimes pick my cuticles, and the finger that went into the water had some tender skin on it and pehaps some superficial cuts, but was not bleeding.

My question is, if someone with HIV used one of our utensils, bled onto it, then the utensil was put into the bin with water in it, and then I put my finger in that water with some tender skin (and maybe superficial cuts) but no bleeding, would I be at risk for HIV? Like I said, I know this might seem rediculous but can you explain to me exactly how it is possible or impossible get HIV this way? I've been really anxious of late. Thank you so much Doctors!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are right, your question does seem a bit silly and, when considered with your previous question regarding the possibility of getting HIV from a share beer glass suggests that you misunderstand how HIV is transmitted as well as just how low the risk for transmission is in everyday life.  HIV is only transmitted through genital or anal sex or injection of contaminated material deep into tissue.  The virus only lives 1-2 hours in the human body and exposure to the environment, including still, non-soapy water is results in death of the virus almost immediately.  Your picked cuticles do not change this at all.  EWH

[Beekay1211]

Thank you so much doctor. So, essentially, 1.) if there were hiv blood in the water, it would have diluted the blood and killed the virus almost instantly, making it impossible for transmission. And 2.) you said, "the virus only lives 1-2 hours in the human body." What exactly did you mean by this? Thanks so much Doctor Hook!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I will not repeat myself.  No risk.

What I said is that when a person has HIV and the virus is reproducing in the human body, each virus lives only 1-2 hours and this is the best possible situation for the virus.  I pointed this out so that you would understand that under less optimal conditions, the virus would die much quickly.

This thread is no over.  EWH