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Transmission of HIV and other Blood Borne Diseases from Mosquito Blood
Dr. Hook and Dr. Handsfield,
I knew that mosquito bites cannot transmit HIV and blood borne diseases like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Sorry for asking about Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in this forum. I think the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus are blood borne infections. So, the transmission through blood should be quite the same as HIV. Hence, I ask about them here. Hopefully, you can help. I have 2 scenarios here that I would like to ask of the potential risks:
1. My wife and I were at a Japanese restaurant having sushi. A mosquito was on my wife's lap. She killed it and wiped it and some blood from the mosquito with a piece of tissue and put the tissue on the table. Then, we went to counter to get some tea. A waitress thought we were leaving, went to our table to clear our table. She then realized we were not leaving yet when we came back to our table. My concern is, if the waitress while clearing table, mix or touch the contaminated tissue with the sushi. I might have used the tissue accidentally to wipe my mouth too. I don't remember clearly. Assuming if the mosquito was carrying contaminated blood, is there any risk to my wife and I for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?
2. I was a Chinese restaurant. Usually, in Chinese restaurant, they will provide a container filled with warm water with the eating utensils inside (for us to wash the utensils). I saw a dead mosquito inside the container with the utensils and warm water. I did not see any blood but it's in a water-filled container. So, the blood might have been diluted. Then, I took out the dead mosquito and used the utensils to eat. Does this pose a risk in regards to HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?
Do you suggest testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C for the events above?
I'm not sure if these events are consider unique. Usually, the healthcare professionals mention that blood borne diseases cannot be spread from mosquito bites but, how about blood from killing or a dead mosquito?
Thanks doctors.
I knew that mosquito bites cannot transmit HIV and blood borne diseases like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Sorry for asking about Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in this forum. I think the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus are blood borne infections. So, the transmission through blood should be quite the same as HIV. Hence, I ask about them here. Hopefully, you can help. I have 2 scenarios here that I would like to ask of the potential risks:
1. My wife and I were at a Japanese restaurant having sushi. A mosquito was on my wife's lap. She killed it and wiped it and some blood from the mosquito with a piece of tissue and put the tissue on the table. Then, we went to counter to get some tea. A waitress thought we were leaving, went to our table to clear our table. She then realized we were not leaving yet when we came back to our table. My concern is, if the waitress while clearing table, mix or touch the contaminated tissue with the sushi. I might have used the tissue accidentally to wipe my mouth too. I don't remember clearly. Assuming if the mosquito was carrying contaminated blood, is there any risk to my wife and I for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?
2. I was a Chinese restaurant. Usually, in Chinese restaurant, they will provide a container filled with warm water with the eating utensils inside (for us to wash the utensils). I saw a dead mosquito inside the container with the utensils and warm water. I did not see any blood but it's in a water-filled container. So, the blood might have been diluted. Then, I took out the dead mosquito and used the utensils to eat. Does this pose a risk in regards to HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C?
Do you suggest testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C for the events above?
I'm not sure if these events are consider unique. Usually, the healthcare professionals mention that blood borne diseases cannot be spread from mosquito bites but, how about blood from killing or a dead mosquito?
Thanks doctors.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
Your fears are entirely unrealistic. HIV is simply not transmitted by the sorts of events you describe. Even if the blood in the mosquito came from a person who was infected with HIV or one of the hepatitis viruses, it could not be transmitted by such events. For example, swallowing HIV infected blood carries little or no risk. You do not need testing.
HHH, MD
Your fears are entirely unrealistic. HIV is simply not transmitted by the sorts of events you describe. Even if the blood in the mosquito came from a person who was infected with HIV or one of the hepatitis viruses, it could not be transmitted by such events. For example, swallowing HIV infected blood carries little or no risk. You do not need testing.
HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See above.
Dr. Hook and Dr. Handsfield,
Related to Scenario 1, after we came back to our table, my wife and I ate the sushi that we left earlier to get some tea. The risk I was referring to is about eating a contaminated sushi, probably with mouth ulcer as well.
Thanks.
Related to Scenario 1, after we came back to our table, my wife and I ate the sushi that we left earlier to get some tea. The risk I was referring to is about eating a contaminated sushi, probably with mouth ulcer as well.
Thanks.
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