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Saliva

Good day drs.
I was with my family yesterday and while getting directions from a man he spit and it fleu directly in my eyes. I got worried. Is it possible to get HIv from this incident? Not sure if it was saliva only or mixed with blood it was quick. Thank you
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Avatar universal
Thank you dr.    You just made an old mans day. I wouldn't have worried if I touched the saliva or it came into my mouth. What worried me is that it came directly into my eyes. But your answer was assuring that it's no risk. Thank you and have a great day
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.

The answer is no.  Saliva actually kills HIV, so exposure to saliva is rarely if ever a source of HIV transmission. That's an importat part of the reason that HIV is not transmitted by kissing and rarely if every by oral sex.  Even mixed with blood, this would not be a risk.  And of course we all are exposed to other persons' saliva on a day to to day basis. Just think how often you shake hands or exchange money with someone who may have recently touched his or her mouth.  And yet nobody ever gets HIV without overt sexual or blood exposures.  So everyday experience tells you this cannot possibly be a risk for infection.  

Regards--  HHH, MD
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