Barbering and HIV

[Guyton Killah]

"Only God knows how many people might get infected when an HIV positive person got cut during the barbering process and the brush used for the hair was shared with an HIV negative person"

Is it something to worry about? Considering the fact that the virus may not be able to survive outside the body for a minute or so. Also, how much dose is required for a person to get infected? Any statistical evidence, logical explanations or links to journals would be highly appreciated.

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[Rendar5]

common sense says this isn't a significant source of HIV spread since there's a ton of barbers out there and I don't believe I've ever heard of a case report of this even.

Keep in mind that HIV is not a rare disease in certain parts of this country. some sections have 2% of their population HIV+.

the concern is generally in fresh sticks. An accidental hollow bore needle stick is 0.3% risk if i recall correctly.

 

[Bernoull]

I also share the OP's concerns especially for things like Hepatitis B, not to thread-jack, but could some1 chime in about Hepatitis B contraction @ barbershops.

Call me neurotic, but I bought clippers a while back and started cutting my hair myself... am i irrationally concerned?

 

[Jolie South]

I also share the OP's concerns especially for things like Hepatitis B, not to thread-jack, but could some1 chime in about Hepatitis B contraction @ barbershops.

Call me neurotic, but I bought clippers a while back and started cutting my hair myself... am i irrationally concerned?

Well, uh, shouldn't you be vaccinated against HBV? Isn't that a requirement to start school?

 

[Bernoull]

Well, uh, shouldn't you be vaccinated against HBV? Isn't that a requirement to start school?

I got the 3rd shot pending out of the hep B series. So i'm still not immune I guess... anyway this is a long-standing concern I had since undergrad, just curious how significant the risk of hep b transmission is at barbershops.

 

[Forthegood]

I'd say that is a bit neurotic. Instead, use your own clippers to save money and be guaranteed quality hair-cuts. That is also neurotic, but it's the kind I like.

 

[thechad]

Is it something to worry about?

Most definitely. You should also avoid water fountains and public toilet seats (the most common cause of spreading the disease, of course).

 

[Mr hawkings]

Look up the probability stats for accidental needle stick in the hospital. I dont remember the exact numbers but it was really low.

I would expect that the probability of some viable viral particles in some dried blood on a barber's clipers from the HIV pos client he served 10 mins before you got there infecting you after he nicks you too would be as close to zero as you could get without being zero.

On another note, thank goodness HIV cannot get from a mosquito gut to the salivary glands. We will be so F%^&ed if they ever evolve to that point.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I also share the OP's concerns especially for things like Hepatitis B, not to thread-jack, but could some1 chime in about Hepatitis B contraction @ barbershops.

Call me neurotic, but I bought clippers a while back and started cutting my hair myself... am i irrationally concerned?

Man I'm right there with you. I hate walking into a barbershop where I'm expected to have unprotected sex and swap needles with stranger. I do ALL my own barbering now. Screw those places.

 

[Forthegood]

Look up the probability stats for accidental needle stick in the hospital. I dont remember the exact numbers but it was really low.

I would expect that the probability of some viable viral particles in some dried blood on a barber's clipers from the HIV pos client he served 10 mins before you got there infecting you after he nicks you too would be as close to zero as you could get without being zero.

On another note, thank goodness HIV cannot get from a mosquito gut to the salivary glands. We will be so F%^&ed if they ever evolve to that point.

Or lost the necessity for its envelope and became a much more stable naked virus. Don't touch that doorknob, you might get HIV...

 

[Bacchus]

Shouldn't your barber be using a guard? If you're going that low as to have no guard you should just be doing it yourself. If you're really worried about the barber don't have him use the clippers for your sideburns or neck and do it yourself instead. Personally, I think it's a bit irrational to worry about HIV or other diseases via a hair salon.

Rendar, I think the 0.3% is what is still being taught.

 

[J ROD]

I guess getting a shave is out of the question....

 

[Bernoull]

I'd say that is a bit neurotic. Instead, use your own clippers to save money and be guaranteed quality hair-cuts. That is also neurotic, but it's the kind I like.

Lol, u damn right about the $$avings, over 6+ yrs of free haircuts! Yes, u're right about the quality, I guess it's kinda like sex, u know exactly how u want it...

 

[Bernoull]

I guess getting a shave is out of the question....

U got that right, no blades for me, besides the risks of a nick, the whole idea of some1 running a sharp blades over ur infratemporal and cervical region and the latter being significant for carotids, jugulars etc 😱. The shaving scene from "Color purple" traumatized my young brain I guess...

 

[ArcGurren]

common sense says this isn't a significant source of HIV spread since there's a ton of barbers out there and I don't believe I've ever heard of a case report of this even.

Keep in mind that HIV is not a rare disease in certain parts of this country. some sections have 2% of their population HIV+.

the concern is generally in fresh sticks. An accidental hollow bore needle stick is 0.3% risk if i recall correctly.

Even more so than HIV the concern is for Hepatitis C in general - I think that actually has a higher incidence than HIV in terms of needle sticks.

The easiest and simplest way to get HIV is through use of blood transfusions (RARELY), IV drugs and sex. Any fears about barbers cutting hair and giving you HIV is ridiculously misfounded IMO

 

[mmmcdowe]

Even more so than HIV the concern is for Hepatitis C in general - I think that actually has a higher incidence than HIV in terms of needle sticks.

The easiest and simplest way to get HIV is through use of blood transfusions (RARELY), IV drugs and sex. Any fears about barbers cutting hair and giving you HIV is ridiculously misfounded IMO

Hep C definitely is more of a risk. Something like 1/3 of liver transplant surgeons are Hep C positive (or so I have read).

 

[bongobingo]

Hep C definitely is more of a risk. Something like 1/3 of liver transplant surgeons are Hep C positive (or so I have read).

False advertising but still scary. http://www.virushunters.net/showabstract.php?pmid=16799957

 

[Smurfette]

To clarify, the risk of getting HIV through sexual contact and via IVDU is far greater than the risk of getting it via a blood transfusion (the risk is something like 1/200,000 units given, as all blood is tested prior to being used as well as the stringent criteria to prevent 'high risk donors' from giving blood).

Also, the risk of having an HIV+ individual being nicked during a haircut, then the same uncleaned item being used on another person who also gets nicked, mixing the blood prior to the virus becoming unviable is like winning the lottery. Assuming you are that unfortunate, consider that the risk of transmission via a hollow bore needlestick is less than 0.3%....this situation is not even close to that 0.3% given that the hollow bore is what is the high risk scenario (the needle 'holds onto' more virus particles, whereas solid needles and objects tend to enable virus particles to be wiped off and functionally diluted).

Hep C is a whole different scenario. MUCH much higher transmission rates. No prophylaxis.

A better question is, what kind of sketchy barbershop are you going to that doesn't clean their equipment between customers (I thought this was now mandated by the states to maintain barbershop business licenses?), especially if someone was nicked?

 

[sargerius]

To clarify, the risk of getting HIV through sexual contact and via IVDU is far greater than the risk of getting it via a blood transfusion (the risk is something like 1/200,000 units given, as all blood is tested prior to being used as well as the stringent criteria to prevent 'high risk donors' from giving blood).

Also, the risk of having an HIV+ individual being nicked during a haircut, then the same uncleaned item being used on another person who also gets nicked, mixing the blood prior to the virus becoming unviable is like winning the lottery. Assuming you are that unfortunate, consider that the risk of transmission via a hollow bore needlestick is less than 0.3%....this situation is not even close to that 0.3% given that the hollow bore is what is the high risk scenario (the needle 'holds onto' more virus particles, whereas solid needles and objects tend to enable virus particles to be wiped off and functionally diluted).

Hep C is a whole different scenario. MUCH much higher transmission rates. No prophylaxis.

A better question is, what kind of sketchy barbershop are you going to that doesn't clean their equipment between customers (I thought this was now mandated by the states to maintain barbershop business licenses?), especially if someone was nicked?

I have a similar question: If I was to eat a premium Subway sandwich (hot pastrami or the amazing philly cheesesteak) sauced with HIV blood, could I get infected? Does this change if I recently brushed my teeth and had small cuts in my gums?

 

[CaptainSSO]

Who the hell gets nicked during a haircut? I've never had that happen to me. That would take an extraordinarily bad barber.

I have a similar question: If I was to eat a premium Subway sandwich (hot pastrami or the amazing philly cheesesteak) sauced with HIV blood, could I get infected? Does this change if I recently brushed my teeth and had small cuts in my gums?

Not really. The risk of HIV sauced subs is vastly overstated. I've been eating them for years.

 

[pkwraith]

Who the hell gets nicked during a haircut? I've never had that happen to me. That would take an extraordinarily bad barber.


Not really. The risk of HIV sauced subs is vastly overstated. I've been eating them for years.

Are you positive?

 

[SpecterGT260]

hes HIV positive



in all serious though.... even unprotected sexual contact and an HIV+ individual doesnt carry with it an absolute high risk of infection.

Vaginal intercourse - infected men to uninfected women
There are so many variables that impact risk it is very difficult to place an exact number or give you exact odds. Risk estimates range from 1:1000 to 1:100,000, again depending on variables such as viral load, number of sexual contacts, etc. The important thing to remember is that it only takes once regardless of the odds so condoms are a must.

http://aids.about.com/od/hivaidsstats/f/infectionrisk.htm

Fun fact.... on the section on receptive anal they put in parentheses (bottom) just in case you were unclear on the subject 🤣 Do the odds change if you are a power bottom?

but back to being serious lol. if sexual transmission with exposure already has low odds, the likelihood of the above situation occurring is even lower. Things like receptive anal carry higher risk because of trauma endured during the act which tears mucosal linings, but even that is still 1/31 chance at the extreme end of estimates.

 

[ygree001]

U got that right, no blades for me, besides the risks of a nick, the whole idea of some1 running a sharp blades over ur infratemporal and cervical region and the latter being significant for carotids, jugulars etc 😱. The shaving scene from "Color purple" traumatized my young brain I guess...

Sweeney Todd?

 

[Instatewaiter]

"Only God knows how many people might get infected when an HIV positive person got cut during the barbering process and the brush used for the hair was shared with an HIV negative person"

Is it something to worry about? Considering the fact that the virus may not be able to survive outside the body for a minute or so. Also, how much dose is required for a person to get infected? Any statistical evidence, logical explanations or links to journals would be highly appreciated.

The virus is actually pretty sturdy. it can survive for hours if dry and days to weeks if wet.

All shaving equipment should be kept in viricidal blood liquid. The risk of infection is quite low for small amounts of virus, like would be found on shaving equipement or scissors.

 

[sargerius]

I would only eat the premium subs sauced with HIV blood. Or roast beef. Why is it so expensive??? Damn, I miss Februany already 🙁

 

[sonofva]

the easy solution here is that you get a bubble to live in, man. or become some kind of hippie.

 

[Law2Doc]

Just make sure your "barber" wears a condom, and the risk of contraction goes way down.

 

[Raryn]

Just make sure your "barber" wears a condom, and the risk of contraction goes way down.

Barber is a new one. Is that the male equivalent of "seamstress"?