What Are The Odds Of Getting HIV From Sharing A Toothbrush

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Ask the Experts

Sharing a Toothbrush with My HIV Positive Partner

Hello,I accidentally used my HIV positive partner's toothbrush about 8 hours after he used it. I did rinse the toothbrush before use. My major concern is that I have bleeding gums. When I finished brushing my teeth there was blood from my...

Response from Lisa Hightow-Weidman, M.D., M.P.H.

University of North Carolina

Hello there-The risks of transmission from this event due to the time course (i.e. likely that any blood on toothbrush would have dried and HIV contained in that blood would be dead as well), no visible blood, and small amount of fluid regardless. I... Read more »

Hiv from touching toothbrushing (SNIFFING AND HIV, 2010)

Hello Dr Bob, Need you sincere opinion on what is happened to me.For 3 weeks I work abroad (in UK).... Read more »

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D. »

Toothbrush accidentally shared

Dear Dr. Barbara,Three months ago, I accidentally used my sister-in-law's toothbrush. She... Read more »

Response from Barbara McGovern, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

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Connect With Others

Sharing toothbrushes

Posted by StupidMe, 1 Reply

Hi all,
I keep reading inconsistent information regarding the risks associated with sharing toothbrushes. So I was wandering what the real risk is. Is it zero, theoretical, negligible, low...etc?
I'm asking because I had a hiv risk 3 years ago. I... Read more »

Transmission by Toothbrush

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I just found out that a neighbor of mine is HIV+. My son recently stayed at their house overnight with their kids. He didn't have a toothbrush, and said he used one of theirs.

Is there any evidence of transmission this way. Would toothpaste kill... Read more »

Sharing shaving razors?

Posted by Carrie, 8 Replies

My boyfriend (poz) and I (neg) were wondering if HIV can pass threw sharing the same shaving razors. The concern is obviously that if he nicks himself while shaving his face and gets blood on the razor, then I use the same one and nick myself while... Read more »

Odds of Infection

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

What are the odds/chances of being infected with HIV from a one-time oral sex encounter? I am a male who received oral sex from another male whose status I did not know. That is my ONLY risk. It was something that I was curious about, but after... Read more »

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