HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child
Well I did none of those things at the get together, so I need to let this baseless worry go and get on with life.
one follow up. I am assuming the smear of blood I saw on and near the cut on my hand was my own blood. But if it was from someone else, via the handshakes, would I be at any risk? Thank you so much.
No. HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.