Level of HIV risk

hi,

my question relates to hiv infection through possible exposure to blood.  i do have sufficient knowledge about hiv, which is why this question seems a bit foolish even to me, but i have been very concerned, so i'd really appreciate another person's opinion.

i work at a healthcare facility, and i happened to shake hands with a man, who i soon afterwards realized had some drops of (maybe semi-dried) blood on parts of his hand.  this was after he was pricked for a blood sugar test, i believe.  now, i don't know his hiv status, but my skin is especially cracked and dry around the corners of my nails.  and i'd really like an opinion on whether this contact, possibly with blood, may have resulted in exposure.  

thank you so much.  i'd really appreciate a response.

[Teak]

No risk..

[sjdet]

thanks for the quick response, teak.

one reason i asked that question is that i've often read that if one's skin is broken/chapped/etc, and if there is exposure to infectious fluid, transmission can occur.  is there any truth to this, in your knowledge?

[sjdet]

1) anyone with a response to my question in the third post?

2) also, how long does it take for early hiv symptoms to appear?  i have received mixed information, so would just like to double check.

thanks so much

[Teak]

HIV is not transmitted outside the body. HIV is transmitted via unprotected anal and vaginal sex, sharing works with other IV drug abusers and from mother to child. You can't go by symptoms. HIV has NO specific symptoms.

[sjdet]

thanks again for the quick response, teak.  

i do realize that the three routes you mentioned are the common ways people get infectedw with hiv.  but there are those cases of infection through cuts and exposure to blood, especially among healthcare workers.

i also realize that hiv is not to be diagnosed by symptoms, but i've been told that it can take at least 2 weeks for symptoms to appear (they call them acute retroviral symptoms?), so i just wanted to double check for my knowledge  

[Teak]

Healthcare exposures don't apply to you. You also probably that over half the people infected never had any symptoms.

[sjdet]

i volunteer at a healthcare facility, and do come into contact with blood. i do always try to use universal precautions.  i'm sorry, i should've clarified that better.  but that is why i was asking about skin contact with fluids, etc.