Dear Dr. Bob, I have read your responses about hiv infection from fingernails scratches. My situation is similar but much more involved. I had and argument with a friend who is hiv positive. the top of my body was bare. Unexpectedly, she pounced on me and before I could realize it, her very long fingernails tore through my flesh with very many deep lacerations. I did bleed significantly. She even tried biting me and I fought hard to prevent that. Eventually she did not bite me. But I remained very worried due to the deep and many lacerations her nails left on my body. I can not say whether she had wounds or openings on her fingers through which her blood could come in contact with mine. At first I dismissed the idea of infection following previous answers I read from your posts. But two weeks later, I developed a fever which lasted for about four days, then that is when the worries began. Dr. Bob, what are my chances of infection in such a scenario? Thanks very much for responding.

Hello,

Your girlfriend "pounced" on you and used her very long fingernails to tear through your flesh causing "very deep lacerations." In addition she was trying to bite you??? Hmmm . . . who the hell are you dating, a female version of Freddy Krueger??? Or what the hell did you say to her: "I voted for Palin"??? My advice remains the same: (1) No risk from the nail scratches (no matter how deep); (2) Never date anyone who resembles "Freddy"; (3) Never vote for a clueless, feckless hockey mom who thinks she can see Russia from her house.

Dr. Bob