Hi Doctor,

I had a small cut from work, it is really small but I wasn't sure how if it was bleeding and if it came in contact with one of my co-workers. I wouldn't be making too much of a fuss if not for the fact that one of my co-workers is HIV +.

If for some reason, if he touched me, and also had a cut (bleeding/not bleeding) as well, is there a risk for infection? I didn't notice the cut until I was on the bus ride going home.

Since then, I haven't been able to sleep and have been thinking about this relentlessly.

I know it's a bit far-fetched since I am only thinking about the "what if's", but at the same time, I have no idea if he also had a cut.

Please help me.

So did you put this cut up against the co-workers cut? If not, then calm down.

Odinn7:

Thank you for your reply. I do not exactly know how to answer your question, but NO, I wouldn't intentionally put my hand (which had a cut) against my co-worker.

But I do remember a few instances where we would touch each other specially when taking out orders/ cleaning tables.

I forgot to mention earlier that I work in a café. Since we work in a small, fast-paced environment, it is likely that we've had a few incidents wherein we would bump/touch each other.

Am I at risk or just being too paranoid?

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me. I haven't been able to sleep since last Thursday.

More than likely paranoid I would say. If you're really concerned get tested, and retested every six months. Only way to know for sure.

Consider the mode of infection of HIV I would be very surprised that you were infected. IT is a set of chances that would make winning the lottery easy. That said... there is a chance. There is always a chance. Keep your hands clean, treat any wound you get and you will be fine. Even if you don't you will be fine.

You have more of a chance of picking up a subcutaneous staph infection to be honest.

Technically yes to your question - HIV can be transmitted by blood contact between two open wounds. I do think that you are worrying needlessly, as others have said. You don't even know if he had a cut, and you do know that you didn't press your cut against any part of him.
This may sound gross to you, but let's say a male co-worker went in the men's room and masturbated and didn't wash his hands and then brushed against you. You know that the sperm couldn't work it's way into your vagina. Not a great analogy... maybe someone can think of a better one.
You might better put these fears to rest by talking to your doctor. Even better, ask the HIV+ worker if you can talk to him sometime, tell him openly that you have fears, and ask him to tell you if he ever has an open cut. He shouldn't be offended. And... he should wear rubber gloves if he has a cut on a hand working in a café. Anyone should.

Love Joy's answer.

If he has HIV, and is a responsible person, I doubt he'd leave an open wound out in the open for anyone to come into contact with. So, it's unlikely he had a cut, otherwise he would have taken precautions like wearing a glove, or asking to leave work.

The scenario you're upset about didn't happen, as far as you know. So let's assume that for some reason that scenario was possible. You'd have to have a cut, still bleeding, at the same time he had a cut, still bleeding, and literally press the cuts together. A few minutes after a cut your blood starts clot, to form a scab. Once that happens, the wound is closed. Of course it's always a good idea to put a bandaid on a cut, to ward off infection. Did you put a bandaid on your cut?

The fact is, this employee knows he has HIV, and I doubt very much that he would be irresponsible enough to put others at risk if he cut himself. He'd take precautions. So, even if you didn't, there's no reason to assume that he didn't either. He'd be even more conscious about open wounds and the possibility of infection than you would.

If you're really worried about this, talk to your doctor. Of course anything is possible, someone always wins the lottery, or gets struck by lightening, but from what you described, I doubt very much that you're at risk of contracting HIV.

Good luck.