Expert: Terry B - 11/17/2008

Question
Hi recently I went out with a few friends and had a few to many drinks and accidentally while dancing with someone my teeth hit the persons nose and cut them and made them bleed quit a bit, this person is known to do risky stuff with others. I was just wondering what is the possibility of HIV transmission if the person was positive..also i may of had a small cut in my mouth from the day before on my lip...so what would be the possibility with and without the cut ..sometimes my gums are sore to i dunno if that matters...and their nose did start to bleed a decent amount ....this is really bugging me i would really appreciate your help thank you!!!

Answer
Dear George:

Peace.  

It is hard to give a precise risk assessment here, in part because it's less about how much they bled and more about how much of the blood touched you.  

In such cases, I need refer you to past answers about risk, asking yourself the questions:
To how much of the potentially infectious fluid (blood, semen, vaginal secretions) was I exposed? For how long? Was I actively bleeding at the site where the exposure occurred?  

I can't give you much help except to say that your risk seems similar to receiving fluids in oral sex - and while that risk exists, it is in the lower range of risk behaviors.

Remember, however, that HIV is not the only pathogen to which bleeding might expose you.  I don't know what "risky stuff" you are describing, but Hepatitis and other infections are more easily transmitted than HIV.

Bottom line, I would see your risk as being small; at the same time, should you be feeling poorly, I'd see your doctor and explain that you were exposed to the blood of another and are concerned.  

Hope that helps a bit,

Terry