Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 11/18/2005

Question
THANKS!  Can people REALLY catch HIV from a toothbrush anyway?  It never has made since to me that you can yet you read things about people getting stuck with infected needles rarely actually catch the virus.
Followup To
Question -
Off and on for the past year we have had a house guest that I know has not been very wise in her choices.  I also know at one point she did have a negative HIV test but I don't know how long after the last possibly exposure that was, and I am aware of the "window period".
My question is, if this girl had hiv/aids, what is the risk to my family?
She of course used our restroom, our toothbrushes where in there, I don't know if she ever used them or not, I did her laundry a time or two and found blood soiled clothes, I don't know how fresh or if I came into contact with it or not. She showered in our shower, using our soap.  She ate at our table, etc.  Normal things like that.
Do we need hiv/aids testing?  Or am I being paranoid?  Thanks for you time.
Answer -
No, HIV is not transmitted in any of those ways. They are all considered casual contact (with the exception of sharing toothbrushes). You nor your family needs to be tested!  

Answer
There have been a few cases where they believe that HIV may have been transmitted via sharing a toothbrush although experts are not positive about this. If it is transmitted via toothbrush, there would have to be some type of blood exchange because saliva does not transmit the virus. And this is extremely rare-it's just always better to be safe.