My last on this. I understand the thread will end. You would not worry about infection if you were me?
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.
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.
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.
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