The answer is theoretically yes. The fact is, it is difficult to become infected. I can tell you of personal experience with three health care professionals, on different ocasions, who were accidentally stuck with needles containing blood residue used on confirmed HIV patients over ten years ago and none of the three seroconverted. A co-factor is necessary, probably a depressed immune system. This does mean there is no risk, l nor is a good idea to have contact sports with an HIV positive patient. I would not necessarily institute prophalactic treatment based on a simple punch in the face from someone presumed to be HIV positive.
Hi there. Anything that potentially allows another person’s blood to get into your circulation carries a risk. HIV transmission occurs when blood, semen including precum, vaginal fluid, and breast milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected one. HIV can enter the body through a vein ex. injection drug use, anus or rectum, vagina, penis, mouth and mucus membranes, like eyes or inside of nose, cuts and sores. Intact healthy skin is an excellent barrier against HIV and other viruses and bacteria. In case of HIV infection, post exposure prophylaxis is a course of anti retroviral drugs which is thought to reduce the risk of seroconversion after events with high risk of exposure to HIV e.g. unprotected anal or vaginal sex, needlestick injuries, or sharing needles. Treatment must begin within an hour of possible infection to be effective and no longer than 72 hours post exposure. Prophylactic treatment for HIV lasts four weeks. You need to get a test at 6 months post exposure as well as the standard 3-month test. The antiretroviral regimen used in PEP requires close compliance and can have unpleasant side effects like malaise, fatigue, diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting. Hope this helps. Consult a physician as soon as possible with the patient. Take care.