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Possible HIV transmission through eye
Recently, a close friend of mine found out there was a very probable chance that she was infected with HIV from her partner. Being very upset and understandably so, she systematically destroyed a number of her belongings many of them pottery and glasses and in the process, cut herself in numerous spots. I refused to leave her and I helped her clean up her apartment into the wee hours of the morning after she managed to calm down. While we were cleaning up broken shards of glass, I managed to get blood on my fingers, her blood, and I quickly rinsed it off (I want to stress here, rinsed not washed) and continued cleaning and also inevitably rubbing my eyes multiple times, not thinking because I was exhausted. My question, probably by now, is pretty obvious but I am still going to pose it. What are my risk factors and chance of getting the HIV virus through my eye mucus membranes after rinsing possible HIV infected blood off of my fingers and then rubbing my eyes?
Thank you. I felt it was probably a non-concern but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask, since Googling anything these days gets you about 50,000 conflicting answers. Now to focus on what is most important; her emotional well-being. However, I did read in a medical journal that HIV can, in fact live in blood for multiple days given the right circumstances. Also on corpses, for I believe it was 16 days in the right environment (example 2 Celsius) . It prefers cold vs heat exposure. Anyways, I am assuming that if I did get in any sort of contact, the actual virus itself would be very diluted and easy for my body to ward off. Again, thank you. I can sleep a little easier tonight.
Not an HIV concern.
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.
HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug users
Mother to child
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.
HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug users
Mother to child
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