Expert: Terry B - 10/3/2007

Question
Hi Mr Terry,
I have a rather stupid question to ask you. (I am beginning to think that even asking this question makes me seem neurotic, but...)
I was cleaning my toilet and I had a small, very recent cut on my finger. I hadn't put any cleaning products in yet and my cut very briefly contacted the toilet water. I washed my hands right away with soap afterwards. Is there any risk for me to get HIV from my cut touching the water? I am the only person who uses my toilet (I live by myself) and I live in England, so I assume the toilet water is clean and is the same as the water that comes out of the taps.
Thank you for helping! I'm just a bit worried.


Answer
Dear Augustine:

Peace.  Thanks for having the courage to write and ask the question.  We have long memories of things passed along to us by our forebears, among them admonitions about open cuts and bathrooms... England saw a cholera epidemic and that might be some of the history that you vaguely remember.  So, there is some basis to what you recognize also as unfounded fear regarding HIV.

HIV is passed by blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk, requiring some concentration sufficient to allow intact cell containing the virus to enter the body of another, most often through a break in skin or mucous membrane.  While your open cut might provide such a portal of entry, there appears, from your description, no such fluid present in any dangerous concentration in your toilet.

Other diseases can be passed more easily, but again, it would require exposure to an infected person.  I hope this reassures you, and best wishes for you and yours.

Sincerely,

Terry