worry about hiv

[1988bowen]

Hello,Doctor:
    I am chinese.so my enlish is not very good.if I have some offence,please forgive me.
    
    I have a question about HIV want to consultation you,because I belive you are authority.
    
    I have read the article on USA CDC wetsite, and I know drying of even high concentrations of HIV reduces the amount of infectious virus by 90 to 99 percent within several hours. But I want to know how long does hiv virus live outside in a common patient's blood or vaginal fluid.

Could you tell me the above statement is that true? Or a rumor? A small amount of blood containing HIV how long can live outdoors in winter?

[Jcc1970]

Keep in mind HIV is not ALIVE!!!  It can't crawl through your clothes and infect you.  It is either active or inactive.  Once exposed to the elements the VITAL outer shell breaks down exposing the virus itself.  

This renders the virus inactive.  Regardless HIV can only infect INSIDE the body.  It can't penetrate the skin to infect you.

[1988bowen]

I'm worried about HIV exists in the armrest patients clothes, on the bus, speak spilled in saliva......

Because our country part of the site on the promotional materials claim that HIV can survive in vitro for several hours to several days, cause I'm nervous.

I don't know which answer is right? The blood containing HIV (assuming less than 1ml of blood) exposure in the winter outdoor air, can live how long?

[Jcc1970]

HIV has never been known to infect outside the body.  Once exposed to the environment it begins to break down its fragile outer shell immediately.  Rendering the virus inactive.

What was the exposure you are worried about.