Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My son has a small bleeding cut and soon after that, he shook hands with an African guy who may or may not be having any wounds as he works in a restaurant. After two and a half weeks my son suffers from fever, cough, and sore throat. I am suspecting it can be a primary infection of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) from that African guy. Please help me know if these are the signs of HIV infection in my son.
Thank you very much.
Hello,
I am here to offer my professional insight into your medical issues. The chances of transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by shaking hands are nil. The probability of the African guy having a bleeding wound that can infect your son is very unlikely. Such cases have not been reported. Kindly do not worry and forget the episode. The symptoms are non-specific and may not be due to HIV. It can be due to any respiratory infection.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your answer. I feel better reading your reply. Your answer made me relieved.
Thank you, doctor.
Hello,
Welcome back to iclinq.com.
It was a pleasure to help you, and I look forward to guide you further with your medical needs.
Thank you for your wishes.
Wishing you all safe and good health.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your guidance. But I am still not relaxed as I have seen on the internet that fever and sore throat are symptoms of acute infection of HIV. I am not sure if the African guy is wounded or not, and so I am concerned about it as none of our family is affected. What is the percentage of risk of infection in the case of my son?
Please help doctor.
Thank you.
Hello, Glad to have you back!
I am here to help you get the best medical advice. All respiratory infections are not only due to HIV. There are many causes, such as the following: Other infections. Weather changes. Food or water changes. Respiratory contact with an infected person. Also, not all infections affect other family members. There can be multiple reasons for it. So please do not worry about this. And I would like to say that the risk of transmission, in this case, would be nil.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Is your opinion for risk nil even when we were in Africa, where the HIV rate is very high?
Thank you once again.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thank you for the follow-up query. It is a known fact that Africa has higher rates of HIV. It does not necessarily mean that every individual in Africa is infected with HIV. In your son's case, there is no exposure to risk. Shaking hands is not a risk when a wound like that seen in the photo attached (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). And hence according to my opinion, risk of infection of HIV is nil.
I hope this answers your question.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra
Medically reviewed byDr. K. Shobana
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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