“Hiv Transmission”
I have a query regarding hiv transmission.
Recently I have been to a barber shop where I got a cut from a new blade which was fine.
However I found out that the barber applied alum to stop the bleeding .
I assumed the alum was used previously on multiple customers also I assumed it had been used shortlu between time interval of 5-10 minutes.
is there a risk of infection with the above case scenario?
Is it possible to catch hiv from dried blood on surface?
Recently I have been to a barber shop where I got a cut from a new blade which was fine.
However I found out that the barber applied alum to stop the bleeding .
I assumed the alum was used previously on multiple customers also I assumed it had been used shortlu between time interval of 5-10 minutes.
is there a risk of infection with the above case scenario?
Is it possible to catch hiv from dried blood on surface?
Male | 31 years old
3 Answers
InfectiousDiseaseSpecialistHIV
very slim
but if you are very concerned and anxious get tested for HIV qwith HIV P24 antigen antibody test which is very accurate
but if you are very concerned and anxious get tested for HIV qwith HIV P24 antigen antibody test which is very accurate
From the CDC website: Blood must come in contact with damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to occur. So did the barber use an alum block *that was disinfected in between customers*? I am unfamiliar w/ the texture of alum so I think a bleach wipe may be a good way to disinfect it in between customers. Alum helps to close up the skin so, suspect the risk is low w/ a very small area of your open skin, but the volume of blood on the alum may not be zero if it's not disinfected properly and blood-borne (HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B) viruses could potentially be transmitted if there is blood. I do not believe alum has antiviral properties. I think it's safest if someone has a nick to provide pressure w/ an new alcohol wipe (like what is used to clean your skin prior to a blood draw)-as a quick kill disinfectant to the skin and the small nick should close on its own and be provided a bandaid if needed. If you want to use your own alum stick/block or styptic pencil at home just for you that's fine.
(For these types of cases, w/ a small volume of potential blood and a small non-severe open area and not a hollow bore (ie blood inside) needle, no post-exposure prophylaxis/PEP for HIV is recommended since 2005 for unknown source exposures- and yours would be an unknown source. I hope this leaves your fear, however, if it does not, get HIV/Hep C tested today, abstain from any/all risky non-condom sexual encounters (oral, anal receptive, or insertive), and get re-tested again in 2-3 weeks. I assume you are immune to Hepatitis B as every US kid is vaccinated since the early 1990s. If unknown, check for hepatitis B surface antibody as well. If not immune to hep B, do get vaccinated; there is a vaccine that is new and requires only 2 doses separated by one month/ helical.
(For these types of cases, w/ a small volume of potential blood and a small non-severe open area and not a hollow bore (ie blood inside) needle, no post-exposure prophylaxis/PEP for HIV is recommended since 2005 for unknown source exposures- and yours would be an unknown source. I hope this leaves your fear, however, if it does not, get HIV/Hep C tested today, abstain from any/all risky non-condom sexual encounters (oral, anal receptive, or insertive), and get re-tested again in 2-3 weeks. I assume you are immune to Hepatitis B as every US kid is vaccinated since the early 1990s. If unknown, check for hepatitis B surface antibody as well. If not immune to hep B, do get vaccinated; there is a vaccine that is new and requires only 2 doses separated by one month/ helical.
Thanks for the question. If the blade of the razor was not used previously, you are at no risk. The alum is not a problem.
