Expert: Terry B - 6/25/2008

Question
My daughter was attacked on a street by a young man who threw a handful of
semen in her face.  Some of it got in her eyes and in her mouth.  Is there a
danger of HIV infection?  The police said not to worry about it that exposure to
air eliminated the chance of infection.

Answer
Dear Dave:

Peace and all good things, sorry about the news of your daughter.  The police were inaccurate - IF the young man was infected with HIV (assuming it was his semen) there is some risk.  However, the risk is small - the amount (I assume) was small, the exposure one-time and the duration of her exposure minimal.  While HIV is rendered unable to infect if the cells within which it is carried dry completely, I assume from what you say that the semen was still in a fluid state.

While I see the risk as very, very small, I can understand your concern.  You and she have several options in our State - the first of which is to get her to an emergency room or health provider as quickly as possible for an evaluation and testing options.  Again, the risk of disease transmission is small, but it exists if he is infected with HIV and/or other diseases such as Hepatitis.  Again, specific to our State (Wisconsin in the US), you have a right to know or learn his HIV status.  

Again, at this point I think the best and most helpful option is to quietly, calmly, but quickly have your daughter evaluated by competent medical professionals to ensure that she is not at risk; if the man involved is known to be negative, she is at no risk.

Please feel free to share this corrected information with whomever you need to reassure yourself and your daughter, as well as to effect some appropriate action.

Best to you and yours, again realize that her risk is very, very low.

Sincerely,

Terry