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Blood - contact lens -eye HIV

Dr:
Yesterday, I went to a Walmart Vision Center and had my eyes examined where they dilated my eyes. They had me put my new contacts on and they set my new ones on a towel, where I opened them and put them into my eyes. After they were in (as I am blind without them) I noticed several red spots on the towel. I could not tell what it was as my eyes wouldn't focus due to the dilation. (looked possibly like blood but my vision was blurry)

1. If my fingers touched them (as I am not sure if it was wet or dry blood) then I put my contact in my eye, would I be at risk for HIV, assuming it was wet HIV+ blood, and I put it into my eye?

I read a post by Dr. Hook that said NO Risk where a roommate touched a bloody door knob then put contacts in her eyes. I assume this is the same situation, however I wanted to be sure, as I am -
a husband and father of an infant.

2. Is there a need or warrant for PEP or HIV Testing?
3. No environmental contact, including my above concerns pose a risk correct?

Thank you for all you do.
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Avatar universal
Yes it is. Thank you.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Isn't that obvious?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My last on this. I understand the thread will end. You would not worry about infection if you were me?
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Avatar universal
Dr. Thank you. I do apologize for my follow up, hope no offense went with it. I fully read your post and answers to my questions. I fell into the trap of over analyzing when your answer to my number 3 should have been clear to me that environmental contacts like this pose no risk.

Thank you and my best to you and everyone you help.
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Don't split hairs.  The risk is low enough that such transmission has never been known to happen.  However, if you want 100% proof that it could not happen, I cannot give it. I can't guarantee you won't be hit by a meteorite someday, but I would not encourage you to take steps to prevent it.

"I would not need to change my patterns with my wife and infant or worry about that?"  Correct.

Thanks for the thanks.  I hope these comments have helped.  Take care.
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Avatar universal
With no measurable risk, I have seen in prior posts that you mean no risk by that, is that correct here? I would not need to change my patterns with my wife and infant or worry about that? I will not second guess you or question further past my followup. I appreciate you and Dr. Hook's work. You have helped my ignorance in this matter greatly.

Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.

But I have to wonder how so many people have gotten the idea, or fear, that HIV can be transmitted by routes other than sex or overt blood sharing, as occurs by using the same injeciton equipment.  Early in the AIDS era (1981-1985), there were frequent fears that the virus might be transmitted by non-intimate personal contact, through the environment, by mosquitoes, etc.  But all this was disproven way back 25 years ago.  And really, everybody knows this -- and you should too.

1) First, I don't accept the assumptions  -- "assuming" the blood was wet, when it didn't feel wet, or "assuming" it came from an HIV infected person.  Both obviously are unlikely.  But even if these things were true, there would be no measurable risk of HIV transmission.

2) Of course there is no need for testing or PEP.  Even if you tried, you could not find an ethical doctor willing to prescribe PEP.

3) Correct.

To illustrate the lack of risk, the household members of people with HIV never catch it (assuming they aren't also sex or needle-sharing partners) even after several years of sharing kitchens, eating utensils, towels, and bathrooms with the infected person.  Never.

Regards--  HHH, MD
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