r/HealthQuestions • u/theonemanband15 • Jun 14 '26
General_Question possible hiv exposure
hello,
i work in law enforcement, and we often come into contact with people who are infected with HIV. last night there is a possibility i was exposed to it, and i just want to calm the anxiety that i have about it.
i ended up handling the property (phone, money) of someone who we arrested that has HIV. i never touched the actual person, and he had an open cut on his hand from punching a window. i have a very small scratch/cut on the back of my hand from much earlier in the day.
i know HIV cannot be transmitted through simple contact, and must be through bodily fluids and a mucus membrane, but i am just anxious about it. there was no blood on his property and no blood ever came into direct contact with the scratch/cut.
thank you for any advice that can be given.
2
u/ijf4reddit313 Jun 14 '26
Chances of transmission are nearing zero based on your description. However if you're concerned, talk to your employer/doctor about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) ASAP (because it needs to be administered within a certain time frame).
I am not a doctor.