Is HIV PEP needed for non-sexual injuries like finger cuts?

Hello doctor,

I have a few questions regarding HIV transmission.

I accidentally cut myself in the kitchen, which I share with roommates. In a panic, I pressed the cut against a tissue I had previously used to wipe the fridge handle, which was oily from someone who used it 10 minutes earlier. The cut was not bleeding and did not hurt. Is there any risk from this?

The next day, I got injured again, and this time it was bleeding. I bought a thermometer from the store, and 15 minutes after coming home, I noticed the package had a small crack. I accidentally broke the crack and got injured, but I did not see any blood, just some dust particles. I assume the risk is low here, but I want to make sure.

Three hours later, I played pool with friends. I only covered the cut that was bleeding earlier, not the non-bleeding cut from the kitchen, as it did not hurt. After playing, I washed my hands with the bandage still on, but water entered the cut. I then washed my hands again. Is there any risk of HIV from any of these incidents?

Should I seek PEP or testing?

Please help.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

So, HIV is not transmitted through possible indirect contact?

Please help.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

My anxiety has calmed down a bit; however, a recent incident has occurred. Can you please help me?

I moved into my apartment a year ago and today noticed some red stains on the wall near my bathroom sink. I tried using disinfectant wipes and Clorox bleach, but they did not work to remove the stain. When I scrubbed the stain, it tore the paint. The stain seems to be inside the wall, so I spray-painted over it.

While scrubbing the stain with just water, some water mixed with the stain splashed into my eye and all over me. I took a shower 30 minutes later, but I did not rinse my eyes. I also had dry, cracked skin on my hands while cleaning, but there was no bleeding. Can I contract HIV or other illnesses from this if the stain is blood? Do I need PEP or testing? How should I proceed after this incident?

The stain was reddish-brown like blood, and I would not be surprised if it actually was blood since I found hair painted inside my door.

Please advise.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I saw some red stains in the kitchen that looked like blood, and I told my roommate about it. He just took a wet cloth and cleaned it.

I was at the sink, and after he cleaned it, he came up behind me with the wet cloth. I am scared it may have fallen on my sandals and feet, even though I did not see it. I used the kitchen that day and the day after and do not know if I touched any contaminated items. Am I at risk for HIV and other pathogens here? Do I need testing or PEP?

When I told him about the stains, he asked, "Where?" I pointed to the stain and asked him if it was beetroot. He said, "Yeah, I will clean it." However, my communication with him is not always clear, and I am scared that it was blood and he was too scared to tell me about it.