Hiv Risk Assesment

Hello doctors,

I've have been advised already in free MedHelp Forum but I need reassurance from you and little explanations in order to put my mind at ease.

1. I went into a conflict with a guy. He stabbed me with a knife and I got 6 stitches on my hand and 1 flexor tendon torn. Before stabbing me, he accidentaly cut his finger with that knife while trying to get it off the pocket. I'm afraid I touched (with my bleeding hand) his bleeding finger wound while trying to protect me against a knife hit. His status is unknown, he's gay. Do I need HIV testing? (before incident we tested negative, me and my wife with HIV Combi)

2. After the incident, under anxiety, I've found that in the last spring I caught my 13 years old son while doing a sort of brotherhood ritual that involved touching (binding) of bleeding excisions between him and 2 older friends. Is HIV testing required here? I'am really scared about HIV.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Both of these questions have to do with the risk for HIV related to surface contamination of open wounds when two recent, open wounds are in contact with one another.  This sort of contact is not a recognized risk factor for HIV.  As a generality, all exposures to fresh blood, from any source, are considered to put a person at risk for HIV however this conservative consideration is written in such a way that it includes both very low risk exposures such as both of the ones you describe and higher risk ones such as the injection of contaminated blood deep into tissue.  The exposures you describe are low risk and thus typically do not require testing.  Because some experts fear the possibility of ever being wrong, they tend to be conservative in their recommendations for testing, an approach which I understand but o not agree with because it causes unnecessary worry for some people.

In my opinion, both of the exposures you describe are low risk and not to be worried about.  If you are nervous an it would give you peace of mind, testing is relatively inexpensive and not dangerous so there is little reason not to test if you wish to reassure yourself however, as I've said, I see no need for testing and no need for you to worry about unprotected sex with your wife.

I hope this clarifies things for you.EWH

[a606]

Thanks for your time.
I'am I correct if I tell to my son that when 2 recent open wounds are in contact (one with another) there is no recognized risk for HIV but for HEP B and C?

[a606]

If you kindly answer my question it would be a great delight.
But if the thread is closed, thanks again for your time and please excuse my curiosity!