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Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

The participation of Dr. Ewald Horwath in this Forum is made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim.

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Aids risks
Jun 15, 2008

I have heard from a stall, people having sex at disco. I couldn't help but wonder how many times in the past this may have happened. I have used the bathroom many times. This is my question, supposing someone who had sex, was infected with HIV/AIDS and they never washed properly or may even have contaminated the faucet. How much risk is there for the next person who touches the contaminated faucet or door handle????

Response from Dr. Horwath

HIV is not transmitted by casual contact, such as touching a faucet, door handle or sharing a bathroom. It requires intimate contact like sex or sharing a used needle with someone who has HIV.



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