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Does the HIV virus dies immediately when it comes in contact with air?

Dr LM Nath
Consultant, Community Medicine,
New Delhi

Q: It is said that HIV dies immediately once it comes in contact with air. Is it true?

A:No, HIV does not die immediately when exposed to air. The virus becomes inactivated (dies) when it has been exposed to air for a short while - generally described as when the blood dries.