Question
Dear doctor, 3 days ago, my friend accidentally scratched my hand with a pencil sharpener blade, causing it to bleed. Afterward, my friend stabbed themselves with the same blade, and some of their blood got onto my wound. I would like to ask, doctor, is there a risk of me contracting HIV from this open wound with blood on it? Thank you.
Alex (1987)
Answer
Hello! There are only three known ways to contract the HIV virus: through blood, unprotected sex, and from mother to child.
The best thing to do is to visit your local Center for Disease Control (CDC) for further advice, or you can register for an examination at a hospital under the Vinmec Health System to get checked and have the necessary tests done.
When you visit a healthcare facility, your risk of HIV infection from the wound will be assessed. If the injury is a shallow skin wound that does not bleed or bleeds very little, or if the blood and bodily fluids of the HIV-infected person only come into contact with intact mucous membranes, the risk of infection is relatively low.
However, in cases where the skin is deeply and extensively damaged, with significant bleeding, or if the blood and bodily fluids of the HIV-infected person come into contact with pre-existing, extensively damaged, and inflamed mucous membranes or skin, the risk of HIV infection is relatively high and requires prompt treatment.
Thank you for trusting and sharing your question, " Is there a risk of HIV infection from an open wound that is contaminated with blood?" with Vinmec. We wish you all the best.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
