Hi I was using the first aid kit in class and I cut myself on it. My cut started to bleed. Is this an hiv risk?

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Hi I was using the first aid kit in class and I cut myself on it. My cut started to bleed. Is this an hiv risk?

No, this would not be considered a risk for HIV.

HIV can be passed through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, through sharing of drug injecting equipment or from an HIV positive mother to her baby.

The virus does not live long outside of the body so cutting yourself on an inanimate object like a first aid kit would not be considered a risk for HIV.

For more information on how HIV is passed please check out our HIV and AIDS page.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

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This answer was posted on February 18, 2015.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.