My husband's son Bob, has HIV. My husband picked up clothiing that was soaked in Bob's blood, from a fight

that Bob had gotten into. My husband also hugged and (possibly kissed) his bloody son. Bob is 22 years old but my husband was extremely distraught about this horrible fight and all the blood. Now, here's my question; Can my husband (who does not have HIV) AQUIRE it through this kind of behavior? Meaning picking up those bloody clothes and hugging, possibly kissing, his son. Yes, I know the kissing part sounds odd but my husband has always babied his son because the poor guy picked up the HIV virus at birth and my husband never wanted to make him feel unloved by not kissing him and doing all the normal stuff you'd do with your child. Only now, I think my husband should have shown more caution with all of this blood. I did not witness the scene (so I have no idea how much blood was evident, just from what my husband said) since it was about 3:30 am and my husband just took Bob to the E.R. for treatment.
Thanks, Mary Mop

Your husband should be fine. HIV is a fragile virus and can't live outside of the body. It dies almost instantly. So any of the virus on the bloody clothes would be dead. If your husband had an open wound and pressed it up against your sons open would, there maybe risk. But he was perfectly safe handling the bloody clothes. Still, its never a safe idea to touch blood without gloves on, regarless of if it is infected with HIV.

As far as kissing goes, you can't get HIV through kissing. The only way there would even be a SMALL risk is if it was deep kissing and there was a lesion or cut in his gum so it was blood mixed with saliva. Even then the risk is very small.

Don't worry, unless your husband is having unprotected sex with your son, or sharing needles with him, none of you are at rist.

I've included a link to some good information about HIV and its transmition. Taken from that link is this information. Visit the link to find out more.

Can HIV spread through kissing?
Answer: Kissing such as on the cheek or lightly on the lips carries no risk of transmitting HIV. In deep kissing there is a small risk because the saliva of an infected person contains few virus particles which by itself is not sufficient to cause the infection. But there could be bleeding gums or ulcers in the mouth and exchange of infected saliva mixed with blood during kissing could transmit the HIV


How is HIV not transmitted?
Answer: HIV cannot spread by casual contact such as touching, holding hands, body contact in crowded public places, shaking hands, working or playing together, sharing food, vessels and clothes, eating food cooked by an infected person, light kissing, mosquito and other insect bites, swimming pools, and toilets.

Question: How long can the virus live outside the human body?
Answer: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is fragile. Once the virus is outside the body in a dry form, it dies immediately. Even in a wet state, it does not live long when exposed to heat, detergents, or disinfectants. When stored in blood banks at 4掳C, it can live for about 3 weeks (or longer), or till the white cell disintegrates, but in a frozen state it can survive for years.

I agree he should have been more cautious but I wouldn't worry a whole lot about it. The E.R. doctor will talk to your husband about it and evaluate his risk. He's probably fine.

It is quite unlikely that he could have contracted the virus. HIV doesn't survive very long outside of the body and is also a fairly weak virus. If your husband had open wounds on his hands and the blood was very recently shed (eg 30 min or so) there is a higher chance. Kissing isn't a problem unless there is broken skin on each person. Also, if the young man is getting healthcare and is healthy, it's not likely that his blood levels of virus are very high.

There is a treatment you can get at the hosp right after exposure. Get it. Stay away from Bob he fights.

I hope everyone is aware of what a big deal this is my only answer is KEEP IT CLEAN !!!

If your husband had no open cuts when he picked up Bob's clothes he will be fine.