I have a question. I helped someone with a nose bleed after they got hit in the nose while boxing. I don’t know if I got any on my hand but if I did and then picked my nose or rubbed my eye, could this transmit the virus if they had it? I used a towel to help them. I kept hold of the towel and their gum shield. While the medics was helping him I then washed my hands. So I’m just wondering if I did get some of their blood on me would it transmit if I rubbed my eye or picked my nose?
Hey vinnie,
This is the official line from the Terrence Higgins Trust.
How long can HIV survive outside the body?
Once outside the body, HIV usually can’t survive for very long. Coming into contact with blood or semen, from a person who has a detectable viral load, that has been outside the body doesn’t generally pose a risk for HIV transmission.
Similarly, the risk of passing on HIV to someone else if you have a detectable viral load and injure yourself is also very low. Wash away any blood with soap and hot water and cover the wound with a sticking plaster or dressing.
If it was that easily transmissible everyone would have it, especially prolific nose pickers like myself. Hepatitis c is more commonly passed through blood outside the body than HIV. I wouldn't let it take over your mind but if you're like me and worry endlessly about these things a rapid test in four weeks should put your mind at ease in just half an hour xxx