You are here:

AIDS/hiv in healing sores?

Advertisement

Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 4/8/2006


Question
I have an uncle that is Hiv postive, and i notice he has a lot of sores on his body. Does a scab contain hiv? Im just worried about him hugging my kids and they rub up agaist the scabs on his arms. What if a person as a scratch on their palm, could u catch hiv from touching something they did like a door handle?  

Answer
You cannot contract HIV from hugging someone. Actually, your kids present more of a threat to your uncle than the other way around because they carry germs that he is not immune to. And no, touching a door knob does not transmit HIV-it does not live well outside of the human body.

AIDS

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Kristen Brannock, MPH

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning HIV infection and AIDS. This includes ways it can and cannot be transmitted, how it is treated, how it affects the body and methods to protect yourself. I can also answer questions concerning safer sex and contraception.

Experience

I trained with the Red Cross to become an HIV/AIDS counselor and was a member of CARES- Carolina AIDS Resource Education Service in college. I have an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education and conduct research in the field of HIV prevention. I also take continuing education courses in HIV/STI prevention periodically.

Education/Credentials
Master of Public Health Health Behavior and Health Education UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (formerly UNC-CH School of Public Health)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.