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Hiv related queries
I had a beard trim at a barber shop today. About one minute before me, the barber had trimmed the beard of another man who was over 40 years old. I had an open wound under my beard, and the barber’s scissors touched that wound while trimming my beard. I’m not sure whether there was any blood on the scissors from the previous customer. If that man was HIV-positive and there had been fresh blood on the scissors, could I get HIV from this?😢
Answers (16)
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The actual risk here is very low. HIV doesn't survive well outside the body — it's inactivated quickly on exposure to air, and the amount of blood that could realistically remain on scissors (if there was any at all) would be minuscule. Even in confirmed exposure scenarios, superficial contact through a barber tool without direct significant blood-to-blood contact is not considered a high-risk exposure. That said, since you did have an open wound and are anxious about it, if this happened within the last 72 hours, HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is available as a precaution — after that window it's no longer effective, so timing matters more than anything else here. Beyond that, an antibody test at 6 weeks and again at 3 months would fully rule it out if you want certainty. I'd suggest a consult so we can go through the exact timeline and see if PEP is even indicated, and to help address the anxiety around this properly too.
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This is a very common scene.
U need toask barber to senetize tne trimmer.
Its called OVERTHINKING.
As such no or least possible exposure.
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Minor facial cut due to barber scissors. HIV transmission through a reused scissor is extremely unlikely, unless the instrument was freshly contaminated with HIV-infected blood and caused a bleeding cut
Next Steps
Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and running water and apply an antiseptic
If the incident occurred within 72 hours, seek medical evaluation for HIV PEP assessment, especially if there was visible blood on the scissors. PEP, when indicated, should be started as soon as possible and within 72 hours
Consider baseline HIV Ag/Ab, HBsAg and HCV testing according to exposure assessment
Check tetanus vaccination status and update if indicated
Health Tips
Keep the wound clean and dry; don't repeatedly touch or squeeze it.
Avoid sharing razors or personal grooming instruments.
Reassure: HIV is not transmitted simply by using the same barber scissors; meaningful transmission requires exposure to infected blood through a fresh/open wound.
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No need to worry
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There is very little chance of getting HIV from this incident. HIV does not survive well outside the body, and infection through barber scissors is extremely unlikely.
Next Steps
If there was no visible fresh blood, Take normal care of the wound and keep it clean.
Health Tips
Please don’t panic. The risk from this type of exposure is extremely low.
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Do hiv test first .
Next Steps
go to near by NACO center .
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Yes, if the previous guy is Hiv positive.
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Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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kindly do connect and consult with me for better treatment plan and advice on your case via PRACTO app
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Yes, possible .go for test for confirmation.
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You can do triple serology first. Don't panic
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Dr. Alfie Hazarika
General Physician
Guwahati
Get ICTC test done, although chances are very less, if the previous customer did not have any open wound
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Dr. Rachna Pande
Internal Medicine
42 yrs exp
Bhopal
Yes risk of hiv is there, also of hepatitis B and C.
Get tests done to exclude these infectious diseases.
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Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
8 yrs exp
Kolkata
Need few more details for further evaluation. Please consult
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Mr. Ashish
General Physician
1 yrs exp
New Delhi
Most likely: HIV risk from this barber-shop incident is extremely low, especially if there was no visible fresh blood on the scissors. HIV transmission requires infected blood to contact damaged tissue or enter the bloodstream; casual contact with barber equipment is not a typical route
Next Steps
If there was definitely fresh blood directly contacting an open wound and the exposure happened within the last 72 hours, seek urgent medical evaluation for PEP assessment.
Health Tips
You can consult me with the exact timing and details of the wound/exposure, and I can guide you regarding HIV risk, PEP and testing.
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Dr. Mohd Asif
General Physician
1 yrs exp
Delhi
Do a baseline HIV test today
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