The HIV virus is very fragile outside the body, but it can live for a short time depending on the situation and environmental factors. The potency of the virus outside the body diminishes over time. Most household cleaners such as soap, bleach or peroxide will kill it. When cleaning any blood spills, use universal precautions, including wearing latex gloves. To be completely safe, toothbrushes and shaving equipment, which may contain small particles of blood, should not be shared.
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