HIV transmission from hand to eye

Hi Doctors,

Perhaps you could help me vis-a-vis my question based on HIV survival rate outside the body and potential routes of transmission.

Today at the gym I used a bench-press about 5 minutes after someone who had been using it for about half an hour. Inbetween sets I rubbed my left eye a few times using my thumb. I then noticed that my thumb had a number of red blotches and streaks which looked like they could have been caused by blood which may have been on the bar from the previous user.

I thought nothing of it, went home and washed my eye with some eye wash but ended up going back to the gym later to check the benchpress bar - I couldn't see any evidence of blood on it this time.

I should point out that the red streaks and blotches did not easily rub off when I tried rubbing it - in fact I had to wash my hands pretty rigorously to get it off if this makes any difference.  

I know it all sounds like a token nightmare scenario but I'd like your opinion nonetheless - I'm conscious this is a sexual health forum so this concern is probably a little out of place.  

Best regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum. I note that this is your second question in the course of about 10 days and thus  I need to remind you that we ask clients not to post more than two separate questions (this is your second) over any 6 month period in order to provide others with the opportunity to get their questions addressed in the limited time and space available.  Let's address your question.

HIV is not spread by transfer from one person’s hands to another or from inanimate objects.  The virus is quite fragile, dying quickly upon exposure to air or room temperature.  In addition the transfer of virus from blood or genital secretions on a person’s hands results in the reduction of the amount of virus present, thereby making transmission improbable as well. There are no instances in which HIV has been reported to be transferred from one person to another in the course of mutual masturbation (in which it is usual for secretions to get on both participants) or from touching infected objects including silverware, glasses, toilet seats and door knobs.  I am confident that the same is true for the bench press apparatus.

Even if what you found on your had was blood (unlikely), and even if it was from a person with HIV infection (most unlikely), there is no risk for acquisition of HIV and no need for concern or testing. That you rubbed your eye makes no difference- still no risk.

I hope this comment is helpful to you.  You have no reason to worry.EWH

[liverpoolfandub]

Thanks for clearing this up Doctor Hook.

I hope my question will at least prove helpful to others thinking along the same lines.

Just one final question, does the fact that I used the machine pretty much straight after him, [ around a few to five minutes] increase any, albiet extraordinarily minimal, risk?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, no matter when you used it, there was no risk. EWH