Can you get infected with HIV from having surgery?
Dec 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Whether surgery leads to HIV infection depends on whether the medical institution is正规. Undergoing surgery at a正规 medical facility typically does not result in HIV infection; however, invasive procedures performed at unlicensed or non-compliant facilities carry a risk of infection. To avoid such risks, patients should seek care only at正规 institutions and actively cooperate with preoperative screenings. After surgery, it is important to keep the wound clean and dry, avoiding contact with water and contaminants.
Whether surgery leads to HIV infection depends on whether the medical facility is正规. Undergoing surgery at a正规 medical institution typically does not result in HIV infection; however, invasive procedures performed at unregulated facilities carry a risk of infection. The specific analysis is as follows:
In正规 medical institutions, surgical instruments undergo strict sterilization processes such as high temperature and high pressure, and disposable instruments are immediately discarded after single use. Patients are screened for infectious diseases before surgery, healthcare workers strictly follow aseptic techniques, and blood transfusions use blood products that have passed rigorous testing—effectively blocking all transmission routes.
Unregulated facilities often lack standardized disinfection procedures, and their instruments may retain blood or bodily fluids containing viruses. Personnel may have weak awareness of protective measures and do not conduct preoperative screenings. If instruments come into contact with an infected individual, the risk of infection for subsequent patients increases significantly—particularly during invasive procedures such as tooth extraction or tattooing.
To avoid the risk of infection, always choose正规 medical institutions for treatment and actively cooperate with preoperative examinations. After surgery, keep the wound clean and dry, avoid contact with water or contaminants, follow medical advice for proper wound care, promote healing, and reduce the possibility of any infections.
