Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra
Dermatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello,
I have had a tooth extracted and have a wound in my mouth. I bought some bread now and ate. The problem is a guy who looked like a drug addict took the bread and put it back. He also had a bloody wound on his hand. I did not think about it at all, it was the last bread on the shelf so I took it and bought it. Now I am worried, he touched it with blood in his hand. If his blood has fallen on the bread, is there a risk of HIV? I have a wound in my mouth, so I am worried. Should I test? Please suggest.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
I think you are too worried about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Theoretically, the chances of transmission of HIV by the given description are rarely possible. There are no reports of transmission of HIV by the modes described. Practically, in my opinion, the chances of transmission of HIV are nil. I do not see any need for HIV tests.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor, thank you so much for the reply.
Good to know that practically risk is nil, that made me relax. What is the risk percentage of getting HIV if you have a wound in your mouth and eat bread that HIV blood has dropped on it? And if it is 15 minutes between the blood drops on the bread until eaten?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
HIV does not survive in an environment beyond a few minutes. More the time lesser the chances of HIV survival. There are no reports of transmission of HIV through food. Moreover, bread may not have any blood, and that too HIV positive person's blood. So risk would be nil. Please forget the issue.
Presuming contact of bread with infected blood earlier and with the wound in the oral cavity, the chances of transmission theoretically would be much less than 1%.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
But if HIV does not survive beyond a few minutes in the environment why theoretical risk is not nil presuming contact of bread with infected blood earlier and with the wound in the oral cavity? You mentioned theoretical risk is lower than 1%. So how much is it exactly after 15 minutes? 1% sounds very high risk to me. I ask because when I understand I can relax more and live a more normal life. Please suggest.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I do not see any need for you to worry as the possibility of blood getting in contact with the bread is nil. Not all people are HIV infected. Moreover, not everyone has bleeding wounds on hand. So the risk would be nil. in environmental surfaces, HIV does not survive beyond a few minutes. It may survive a little longer in moist areas like bread. As you are presuming that bread has HIV-infected blood and it has directly come in contact with a bleeding wound in the oral cavity, so theoretically there are possibilities of transmission of HIV. So theoretically the risk may be less than 1% in the scenario described. It may be less further. All this is just a presumption not accurate. Practically, in my opinion, the risk is nil and I have said it earlier too.
Please do not worry. Just forget the episode. Lead a normal life free of fear from HIV. Relax and enjoy life. Get involved in activities of your interest. Do yoga, meditation, and physical exercises of your choice.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you, doctor.
I live a normal life with my husband. I do not even drink alcohol. I have good hygiene and live a safe life. But still so afraid of HIV through blood. They once made a mistake at a hospital and I was at risk, I took the test after four months which was negative. Thank to God
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I can make out your pain and anxiety due to the previous episode. It is good that you and your family members are following safe and healthy measures. It is good to be safe and follow all precautions. But also please do not be over-anxious about HIV. Please do not worry about the episode.
Thank you.
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Dermatology
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