Almost everybody knows the most common ways of transmitting the HIV virus: through blood, sex, and used needles.
However, these ways are not the only ways through which this virus can be transmitted.
Namely, a bizarre case occurred recently to this Brazilian woman who found out that she was HIV-positive after using a nail clipper that had been infected with the virus.
This young woman got the shocking information when she wanted to donate blood.
The woman took the tests needed and found out that despite the fact that her blood parameters were in optimal range, there was still a sign of high viral load.
She claimed that she did not get the infection through sex or drugs abuse, and the tests her mother took confirmed that she was HIV-negative.
This was the moment when the girl remembered that one of the few things she had shared was this manicure equipment.
Nearly ten years ago, the woman had shared the manicure equipment at a nail salon with a cousin of hers, who was later tested HIV-positive.
The blood samples of the girl and her cousin were analyzed and it was concluded that their viral genetic material is a match, which proves that she contracted the virus through a simple nail clipper.
Currently, the CDC does not include nail clippers on the list of HIV-spreading mechanisms.
The scientists say that the HIV virus cannot be transmitted by casual contact, like sharing eating utensils or drinking from the same glass.
They also say that this example of transmission of the HIV virus via manicure equipment is a very rare case that should not serve to make people fear HIV or contact with people infected with the virus.
Nevertheless, this unfortunate Brazilian girl is another example that might mean that some things need to change soon.
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