cut and toilet seat

[beefstew]

Dear doctor
please help
I work as a builder and the other day i cut my finger and it bleed a fair bit, i went to the site toilet to get some tissue. Whilist i was in the toilet i decided to use the loo, i pulled off some tissue and wiped the toilet seat as i always do befote i sat down. Here comes the problem I USED THE SAME PIECE OF TISSUE AND PUT IT ON THE BLEEDING CUT.
I didnt see any blood or semen on the seat but i wasnt really looking.
Now i am scared of contracting HIV do you think i need to test or do i forget about the whole incident.
Also how long woulh HIV survive in either blood or semen on a cold toilet seat.
Thanks
a worried man
your advice is needed

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes you can be confident that you do not have HIV from the events you describe and therefore there is no reason to fear for your wife's safety.

You get an answer from one of us.  Dr. Handsfield and I have not disagreed in advice regarding management in over 30 years of working together.  EWH

[beefstew]

Sorry to be a pain but could you confirm that Dr H. Hunter Handsfield is of the same opinion.
Just looking for complete closure and you know what they say 2 is better than 1.
Thankyou so much for your time

[beefstew]

So just to make 100% sure i can have unprotected sex with my wife with no risk of infecting her.
Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This is a no risk situation.  HIV is a fragile virus which does not live well or long on environmental surfaces or when exposure to air or temperatures lower than body temperature.  Furthermore there is little risk that someone who used the toilet before you had HIV.  For all of these reasons this was an absolutely no risk situation.  You have no reason for concern and do not need tested related to this incident.

I  hope your finger is better.  EWH