Can I get HIV from swimming with an infected person?

Question

Hello doctor,

My friend and I had open wounds while diving in the ocean. My friend is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive. Our wounds were not in contact. However, we were near each other in the water. Should I be worried about getting infected if my friend's blood in the ocean water got into my open wound as we were swimming near one another in the ocean?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cannot survive outside the human body. For HIV to be transmitted, there needs to be sexual contact with an HIV-infected person, or it can be transmitted through blood transfusion or exchange of contaminated syringes or needles. Just with assumed touching of blood, the virus cannot be transmitted. For potential transmission, it requires inoculation of a sufficient amount of blood with high viral content. If your friend is positive for HIV, he or she will be under treatment irrespective of CD4 (T cells) count status. And, once therapy is initiated, the virus becomes undetectable in blood within three to six months of regular treatment. There is no chance of acquiring HIV in such a scenario.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.