Scratched by HIV infected person - HIV Prevention Message Board

bora88 · 10-01-2007, 11:30 AM

i was hanging out with a friend that has the virus i was wondering not only did a large amount of spit land on my body but she fell down a flight of stairs and scratched me with her nails which made my arm bleed a little. Now i read that the virus does exist in spit just a very little amount so doesn't that mean there is a chance of getting it? and what about the whole scratching thing?

smar · 10-01-2007, 11:42 AM

Don't worry, you aren't infected. While it has been shown that HIV has been found in trace amounts of saliva, it is in such small quantities that it could not infect a human. A study once followed 13 individuals who had been bitten by HIV infected people and found that not a single one of these people became infected with HIV (and yes, the bites DID break the skin, drawing blood). It has also been shown that Saliva tends to deactivate up to 90% of the virus in the saliva. Since there wasn't much in the saliva to begin with, you really have nothing to worry about.

If you are still worried, you can always get tested, but I assure you, you could not be infected, at least not from that risk. It just isn't possible. You'd be the first if it were to occur.

bora88 · 10-01-2007, 11:49 AM

thank you i can stop thinking about it, i knew it was highly unlikely but i just needed reassurance, thanks

smar · 10-01-2007, 09:17 PM

glad I could be of help