Expert: Terry B - 12/9/2008

Question
Hello Sir, I have a question for you. This have been worrying me a lot... Actually this happens in the toilet while  was having shower. At that point of tme, I am taking my shower and after awhile, i noticed some (Sperm like liquid) on the floor of the toilet. After that right away i stop my shower.I am not very sure if i have stepped on it or not. The part that worries me so much is that i noticed a cut at the base of my leg. The cut is roughly (around the fingers of my legs).. after noticing the cuts, i immediately wash it off with (DETTOL shower foam) where my cut is, afraid that i could have stepped on it. And after washing off, i dipped my leg into a pail of warm water with (DETTOL antseptic liquid) for quite some time.. I am very sure i started using the toilet 3 hours after my brother uses it.My question is:
1) If really what i saw on the toilet floor is (Sperm)  will the germs be dead after 3 hours??
2) Can i set my mind easy as i have done the neccessary things to clean off the substance if it really touch my cuts?
3) Can i be infected this way?
- I am confirmed that no one uses the toilet 3 hours before i uses it...

I would be most appreciated if you can answer my Questions. Im sorry if the questions sound rather stupid.. Thank you..

Answer
Dear Fuzzy:

Peace.  First, I appreciate your asking your question; you are not the only person who has similar questions, and I am glad to help.

As you seem aware, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS.  Present in the blood, semen (fluid in which sperms swims), breast milk, and vaginal secretions of an infected person, these fluids can transmit the virus to another.  Your own skin and mucous membranes are your body's barriers to HIV and other infections.  The amount of the fluid, the duration of your exposure, the concentration of virus in the fluids, the number of times you are exposed, the condition of the skin or mucous membrane - all are factors in assessing your risk.  

HIV cannot survive the drying of the fluid (and subsequent desiccation of the cells in which it is contained), and in your described situation, it is unclear whether the questionable fluid was dry prior to your shower.  Secondly, it is also unclear whether your foot or leg came into direct contact with the fluid at the place of your cut.  Third, I don't know why you mentioned your brother, is that an indication that the fluid was from an infected person?  Fourth, I don't understand that you 'noticed' a cut - were you actively bleeding?

In any case, I don't see this as being a typical risk exposure.  HIV doesn't creep around looking for openings, it's contained within the fluids mentioned, and direct contact with the fluid is required for infection to occur.  Secondly, if your cut was not bleeding, it wasn't an open wound.  Third, the action of the shower - dilution of the fluid - further reduced the amount of fluid to which you may have been exposed.  The washing off of an area you feel may have been exposed was sufficient to reduce amount and duration of a possible exposure, the soaking in Dettol probably unnecessary.

Answering your questions:
1) If the substance was liquid (fluid) semen, it is potentially infectious.  If dry, no.
2) There's nothing more you could have done.  
3) Could you?  Maybe.  Is it likely?  No.

Please go to www.avert.org and/or www.thebody.com to learn more about HIV/AIDS, and become an informed resource for your loved ones and your community.

Best to you and yours,

Terry