Can HIV spread through a blood-contaminated phone screen?

Question

Hello doctor,

My friend, who has HIV, got a deep cut from a sharp, cracked corner of a phone screen. Blood was left on the same spot, and about six seconds later, the same corner punctured my skin.

Please help.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Because the injury involved a puncture from an object contaminated with blood from a person living with HIV or human immunodeficiency virus, it is important not to ignore it.

Since the exposure occurred through a puncture injury, I highly recommend you get to a doctor as soon as possible if it has been less than 72 hours since the incident. A doctor can assess whether you need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (medicines used for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus or HIV taken after possible exposure to HIV to reduce the risk of infection).

PEP is typically taken for 28 days. When started as soon as possible, ideally within hours and no later than 72 hours after exposure, it can help significantly to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water if you have not already done so. Avoid scrubbing the wound aggressively or using harsh chemicals.

Regarding HIV testing:

Have a baseline HIV test (an initial test to determine your HIV status before or soon after the possible exposure) as soon as possible.
Repeat the test at six weeks after the exposure.
Repeat the test again at 12 weeks (three months) after the exposure.

PEP is typically taken for 28 days. When started as soon as possible, ideally within hours and no later than 72 hours after exposure, it can help significantly to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

You can then consider yourself not infected with HIV from this particular incident, provided there have been no other possible exposures.

Please try to remain calm. Even in this situation, the actual risk of HIV transmission may still be low because HIV does not survive or remain infectious for long outside the human body.

However, because there was a puncture injury involving blood from a person living with HIV, it is safest to seek urgent medical evaluation for possible PEP rather than simply waiting.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.