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Is a small cut an HIV risk?

by Dr Lesley Hickin

question

I have been curious about HIV transmission. A lot of websites say that it doesn't get transmitted through unbroken skin, and that there has to be an open wound. Is a really slight cut which has not bled and has only just broken the skin risky?

answer

HIV lives inside human cells so it requires passage of body fluid from the infected person to the uninfected person for the virus to be transmitted. The risk of infection also depends on the site of transmission and the amount of virus present. If you are at all worried I would strongly advise you to visit a STI clinic where you can talk over your anxieties with a trained health professional and have a blood test at the appropriate time.

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