Dr. Shahad Alshehri
Infectious Diseases
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
Answered by
Medically reviewed by
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I wanted to know how the infection spread. How can a person get HIV or hepatitis from their eye, mouth, nose, or mucous membranes? If I have little blood, urine, semen, or saliva on my hands and these bodily fluids are of a person suffering from some infection like HIV or hepatitis, can I get these from surfaces that this person touched? Even though my hands appear to be clean, I cannot even see them on my hands. If I then use my hands to contact anything or someone else, can I infect them? Could I contract the infection if I touched my eye, nose, or mouth with infected hands? Please explain to me in detail.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have read the query, and I can understand your concern.
HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) and Hepatitis can infect a person by blood or sexual activity through the vagina or anus. HIV cannot be spread by contact, saliva, or skin-to-skin contact with contaminated sperm. Only shared IV (intravenous) drug needles or sexual activity can transfer it the same as hepatitis C. None of them are spread through skin contact, bodily fluids, or touch. Both can be spread by sexual contact, blood transfusions from infected donors, or IV drug usage needles. No, you cannot infect yourself with your contaminated hands. The viruses are weak and will not survive on your hands or skin to spread through simple contamination. Even if your hands are contaminated, you cannot spread an infection by touching someone. To transfer an infection like HIV or HCV (Hepatitis C), you must have a sexual encounter with that person when you have the virus in your blood.
I hope this will help you.
Thank you.
Was this conversation helpful?
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Infectious Diseases
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy
