Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 12/18/2007

Question
Hi. I was just wondering about some ways of contracting the HI Virus... What about this hypothetical case:
Somebody who is HIV positive has used a toilet seat before you and somehow they managed to get blood on the seat. If you now sit there shortly after and u have a cut on your buttock (say an open wound from a zit or something) is it possible to contract the virus this way as the infected blood has made contact with broken skin?

Another scenario:
They say kissing and swallowing saliva cannot lead to contracting the virus. However, what if one has a cut or sore in the mouth (as is often the case after brushing teeth, ort even using toothpicks after lunch) and the saliva or even blood of the infected person reaches this sore?

Last question:
Hypothetically speaking, if infected body fluid such as semen or vaginal fluid comes into contact with broken skin (such as little cuts after shaving your beard or even a cut on your finger) can the virus be transmitted that way?

If any of these are possible, high risks would exist everywhere... :(

Answer
Hypothetically, yes to all. However, all your scenarios are EXTREMELY unlikely and are not efficient means of HIV transmission. They are so unlikely that I say do not worry about it at all. Youre more likely to have a TV fall out of a window and onto your head...well, you get my point. HIGH risks are not everywhere- HIGH risks are sharing needles and having unprotected sex period.