HIV Infection through contact with blood

[mneil1608]

Over the last week while reading an HIV article that one can get HIV infected when HIV infected blood directly enters the blood stream through an open wound or cut or natural openings(mouth,eyes). By directly does it mean from one person to another without passing through air? What if an HIV infected person with a bleeding cut touches a  door knob for example and a few seconds later someone else touches the door knob, and immediately touch their mouth, eyes or nose. Is this direct transmission? Is there is risk here? What is likelihood of something like this happening? I have never heard of something like this but want to be sure i ask a HIV expert. Is this a cause for concern especially with kids since they touch surfaces and their eyes/mouth a lot. Hope to hear soon.

[LIZZIE LOU]

once again...

hiv is not transmitted through environmental surfaces or inanimate objects

[mneil1608]

I know just touching a door knob is no risk. What about touching a door knob with infected fluid and then touching eyes. Isn't that same as infected blood going into the eye via a splatter. I know there is no risk in my explanation but would like to know the medical reason why. Thanks

[LIZZIE LOU]

what do blood splatter to the eyes and touching a door knob have in common?

NOTHING

[mneil1608]

There have been cases of infection through blood splatter to the eyes. Why did that occur?

[LIZZIE LOU]

hiv is not transmitted through environmental surfaces or inanimate objects

[rchie]

blood transmission and needle sharing are one of the direct blood transmissions.
The situations you described does not pose any risk. HIV is a very fragile virus that wont survive when exposed to air even for a few seconds.