Do People Get AIDS From Scratching Someone

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

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Older People and HIV

How Many Older People Have AIDS? About 29% of all people with AIDS in the United States are age 50 or over. In 2001, this proportion was 17%. In some cities, as many as 37% of people with AIDS are older than 50. The number of older people diagnosed with AIDS is increasing. There are three types of older people with HIV: People who have been living with HIV for many years; older HIV-infected people who are just learning their HIV status; and...

Ask the Experts

Cat scratch fever in HIV+?

Hi,I've been HIV+ for 3 months (experienced acute HIV infection back in May), have a CD4 of 399, not currently on meds but about to start. Last night I got a rather nasty scratch on my back from my cat. How concerned should I be? Is cat...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Even HIV- people can get cat scratch disease-- you don't have to be HIV+ to be at risk. See your doctor for an evaluation. If you haven't had a tetanus bosster in the last 8-10 years, that's a good idea.... Read more »

Please Hekp me quickly Dr Bob -- I am very very frightened-- I give a large donation (HIV TRANSMISSION FROM FINGERNAIL SCRATCH, 2010)

Dr. Bob,I ma very scared. I went to shake hands with a HIV + person during a convention today. This was a black man and they had a very unusal handshake. Grab, Hug, twist the shake and pull back quickly. When the gentleman pulled back on his hand...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi Linda,Grab, hug, twist, shake and pull back quickly??? Hmm. Sounds like the latest craze at the dance club. Even if you did get scratched, and even if the dude doing the grabbing, hugging, twisting, shaking and scratching was "virally... Read more »

Animal Scratch

Dear Mr. Kull,I previously posted this question but never got a response...I hope it wasn't too dumb. I have two friends that have AIDS. I was visiting them 3 weeks ago and while I was there one of my friends took out his parrot. The parrot was...

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W

Columbia University's Health & Related Services

It is possible to get HIV infected if fresh blood containing HIV came into contact with your bloodstream or mucous membranes. Superficial scratches are probably not a reliable route for HIV transmission and the circumstances you describe would be... Read more »

Scratch by dog

Hi.Last week I visited a HIV+ friend. I brought my small dog (Yorkshire Terrier) that likes to scratch people's legs as a greeting. He scratched my friend's leg (I didn't notice if he bled) and 2-3 minutes afterwards the dog scratched...

Response from Richard Cordova III

Test Positive Aware Network

Hi there:Thanks for writing in. No, there is no risk. Even if there was HIV infected blood on the dog's nails:A. The virus would start to die the moment it left the human body, rendering it unable to infect you.B. Your skin wasn't broken.... Read more »

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Connect With Others

For the worried well about Bird scratches

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

It is impossible to become infected with The HIV Virus from Birds.

Dr. Anonymous 2001

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Infection throgh scratches

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hi,

Hope someone can advise.

I've always been served by this HIV positive beautician for about 2 years and have not feared for my life before. BUT since 11 Oct 1999, I've been living in fear of contracting HIV.

On that day, while she was massaging... Read more »

HIV from Scratch

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

To Whom it May Concern:
Here is my dilemma. A couple of months ago I visited a "titty bar" and received three lap dances. During one of the dances I felt the dancer scratch my neck with her fingernail. Throughout the remainder of our session... Read more »

Looking for gay people with AIDS for documentary

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

Hello,
I am looking for people who are gay and have HIV/AIDS who would like to be part of a documentary. I am entering a video contest with the theme of "tolerance." I want to hear your honest portrayals of what life is like for you. I do not want to... Read more »

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