Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 3/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

This is the first time that I'm asking this and so sorry if I sound stupid, but this thing has been worrying me for sometime now.

About a month ago, a my friend visited us. I later came to know that he is HIV+.
My brother and I were playing with him in the lawn. There was a bush which had thorns in it. My friend collided scraped against the bush and something scratched/bruised him from over his T-shirt. After playing I noticed that my brother and I had some scratches/minor bruises.

This is really worrying me and I am a lot worried about my brother as well.

As far as I know about my friend's injury is that he was not bleeding visibly. He had two small scratches on this arm - the ones which turn into little red stitch like lines that come off if you scrape them with your nails.

I do not know if this was a risky encounter or not. Please help me.


ANSWER: HIV is not transmitted that way. Don't worry.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kristen,

Thanks a lot for your help. I am trying to understand more.

I know that my friend was not bleeding visibly, but he did get two red scratch marks on his arm. That means the skin was broken, but I do not think that the injury was deep. Also, I do not remember if we also got scratches immediately after him or not.

It worries me when people say that this is very low risk situation. If it was low risk does it mean that I should get tested and ask my brother to do the same or should I forget about this ?

Thanks again

Answer
I don't consider this a "risk" at all. In fact you and your brother are more of a threat to the child with HIV than the other way around. He can contract germs from the two of you that his immune system cannot fight off.

HIV is simply not transmitted by what you described. Just because an HIV+ person bleeds, it does not necessarily mean someone near is at risk.