Aa
hiv/std transmission
to whom it may concern,
I do apologize for the question and the forum but I believe it is the same area. I recently want to church and and dipped my hand in holy water for a blessing. Some water accidentally got into my eye.1) I am worried now if there is any possibility for HIV transmission this way?2) any way i can get herpes in the eye thru this? 3) any risks at all like hepatitis can i let go of this do i need testing? I tested and been in a monogamous relationship etc thank you for your help
I do apologize for the question and the forum but I believe it is the same area. I recently want to church and and dipped my hand in holy water for a blessing. Some water accidentally got into my eye.1) I am worried now if there is any possibility for HIV transmission this way?2) any way i can get herpes in the eye thru this? 3) any risks at all like hepatitis can i let go of this do i need testing? I tested and been in a monogamous relationship etc thank you for your help
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, viruses (including HIV) can survive in water, and I told you that some viruses (colds, influenza) could be transmitted that way. But not HIV. It's a different virus, and for transmission to happen, LOTS of virus has to come into contact with certain kinds of cells in the body. Exposure to "just one virus" particle, or a few of them, does not result in transmission. Truly there is no known risk for HIV in this situation. The same is true of herpes. I doubt anybody ever got a herpetic whitlow in this situation.
Please accept the reassurance you have been given and stop worrying about it. (But also please pay attention to my advice about influenza!)
That will have to be all for this thread. Take care.
Please accept the reassurance you have been given and stop worrying about it. (But also please pay attention to my advice about influenza!)
That will have to be all for this thread. Take care.
sorry,
thank you so much for your kind reply. I know you stated that even if there was viruses in the water it cant be transmitted? so its not true that viruses like hiv cant live in water? im worrying even abt the herpes willow?
thanks
thank you so much for your kind reply. I know you stated that even if there was viruses in the water it cant be transmitted? so its not true that viruses like hiv cant live in water? im worrying even abt the herpes willow?
thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the HIV forum.
There simply is no possibility that HIV or any STD could be transmitted in this manner. Even if the water became contaminated with these viruses, not enough virus could survive in sufficient numbers to result in transmission from a drop of water in they eye.
If there is risk of any infection from common use of holy water, chalices for communion, and similar exposures, it is for the common cold or influenza. Indeed, with H1N1 (swine) flu coming in big numbers this fall, if I were a religious person I would fake it, i.e. I would go through the motions without actually touching my hands to the water and certainly not then putting my hands anywhere near my face. Also, I would go to my priest and express my concern. He should instruct the entire congregation to "fake it" in this fashion.
But I digress. Happily, HIV and STDs are not so easily transmitted; they require the very direct and immediate exchange of body secretions in large amounts of the sort that only happens with unprotected vaginal or anal sex.
In summary, using your own words: Indeed you can "let go of this" and you definitely do not need HIV testing. Don't worry about it.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
There simply is no possibility that HIV or any STD could be transmitted in this manner. Even if the water became contaminated with these viruses, not enough virus could survive in sufficient numbers to result in transmission from a drop of water in they eye.
If there is risk of any infection from common use of holy water, chalices for communion, and similar exposures, it is for the common cold or influenza. Indeed, with H1N1 (swine) flu coming in big numbers this fall, if I were a religious person I would fake it, i.e. I would go through the motions without actually touching my hands to the water and certainly not then putting my hands anywhere near my face. Also, I would go to my priest and express my concern. He should instruct the entire congregation to "fake it" in this fashion.
But I digress. Happily, HIV and STDs are not so easily transmitted; they require the very direct and immediate exchange of body secretions in large amounts of the sort that only happens with unprotected vaginal or anal sex.
In summary, using your own words: Indeed you can "let go of this" and you definitely do not need HIV testing. Don't worry about it.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
