How long can the HIV virus survive outside the body?
Aug 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the HIV virus can survive outside the body for 5 minutes to 3 days. If symptoms of discomfort occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily contact situations, one should avoid direct contact with others' blood and bodily fluids. If accidental contact occurs, promptly wash with soap and water and disinfect. When handling items that may be contaminated, use chlorine-containing disinfectants for wiping or soaking.
Under normal circumstances, the HIV virus can survive outside the body for 5 minutes to 3 days. If experiencing any discomfort symptoms, it is recommended to seek timely diagnosis and treatment at a regular hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:
When HIV is exposed to dry air and the environmental temperature is high, such as above 37℃, the virus rapidly becomes inactivated due to loss of moisture and favorable living conditions, typically losing its infectivity within 5 minutes. In this situation, the virus cannot maintain the stability of its structure and soon becomes inactive.
If HIV exists in fresh blood or body fluids and is in a cool, moist environment without direct exposure to external factors such as ultraviolet light, it may survive for a longer period, up to 3 days. In such cases, the blood or body fluids provide protection for the virus, and the low temperature slows down the rate of viral degradation.
In daily life, direct contact with others' blood and body fluids should be avoided. If accidental contact occurs, promptly wash with soap and water and disinfect. When handling items that may be contaminated, chlorine-containing disinfectants can be used for wiping or soaking.
