My hairdresser has HIV.

April 8, 2009 1:14 PM

My hairdresser just learned that she has HIV. Should we do anything differently?

My beautician still intends on doing hair, and I still intend on being her client and supporting her however I can. I'm not paranoid about being infected with HIV, but are there any precautions I/she should take? I'm thinking no--apart from not coming around her when I'm sick--but just thought I would ask. I'm sure I can talk about it with her, but at the time it was more about listening and being there for her, not asking about technicalities. Thanks

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (10 comments total)

No. Unless your hairdressing routine involves exchanging blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk, there is no need to do anything differently.

As for not coming around when you are sick, I would ask her about that. It takes quite a while for HIV to bring someone's immune system down. She probably had her immune system tested (her CD4+ cell count), and if it is above 500, you should not change your habits with her with regards to sickness. Many of my coworkers are HIV positive and have good CD4 counts, and they don't seem to get sick any more often than the rest of us.
posted by heatherann at 1:22 PM on April 8 [7 favorites]

Adding a bit more to my answer, I would encourage you to listen if she wants to talk about it, but also to talk about whatever you used to talk about. Sometimes it can help to be able to take a break from HIV for a bit, to know that you're still seen as a friend, and not just a friend-with-HIV.

If she's looking for resources about how to deal with her diagnosis, here are some recommendations:

The Body (the main American site for people living with HIV) has a section for people who have just been diagnosed.

CATIE (the main Canadian site for people living with HIV) has an online module for people who have just been diagnosed.

Both of those links have lots of other resources linked as well.
posted by heatherann at 1:46 PM on April 8

Razors. I dunno if you get your neck trimmed with a razor like guys do, but I'd be very careful that thing was at least cleaned in alcohol.
posted by orthogonality at 1:47 PM on April 8

Razors. I dunno if you get your neck trimmed with a razor like guys do, but I'd be very careful that thing was at least cleaned in alcohol.

It seems like the razor issue has just as much to do with the HIV status of the other clients as with the status of the hairdresser.
posted by aka burlap at 2:03 PM on April 8

Even if you do get a cut from the razor, the hair dresser would have to have a cut, too, and her blood would have to get in there. Unless someone else got a cut from the razor before and has AIDS, too, but that make the hairdresser's AIDS irrelevant.

On preview, aka burlap got it.

So basically, just listen to Heatherann
posted by azarbayejani at 2:07 PM on April 8

(jumping in again... sorry)

Regarding razors, if the razor already had her (fresh) vaginal fluids, breast milk, or blood on it, AND it came in contact with one of your mucous membranes (your wet surfaces — e.g. inside of the vagina, the foreskin) or an open cut, then there would be cause for concern.

HIV doesn't survive outside of the body very easily. It also doesn't exist in high enough concentrations to be passed through sweat or saliva. That's why there's a risk of transmission if you're sharing a dildo, but not if you're french kissing.
posted by heatherann at 2:08 PM on April 8

The most supportive thing you could do is to not change anything. You're at no risk, yourself, as all above have said.

If she wants to talk about it, let her, but don't be all weird about it.
posted by rokusan at 2:52 PM on April 8

What if a madman with a machine gun comes into the salon and shoots her to pieces while you're yawning?

Seriously, you're at no risk.
posted by wfrgms at 4:29 PM on April 8 [2 favorites]

Lived (and had--very protected--sex) with an HIV+ guy for over 10 years. I refused to treat the him or the situation differently than I would have otherwise. Be sensible, be kind, and just be there for your friend/hairdresser. Sounds like to me that you are already doing it right.
posted by thebrokedown at 9:13 PM on April 8

You don't need to do anything differently than you do now.
posted by OmieWise at 4:41 AM on April 9