Florida Barber License Practice Test

What is the most common way that HIV may spread in a barber shop setting?

1. Airborne transmission

2. Direct contact with unprotected sex

3. Blood to blood contact with an infected person

4. Contaminated surfaces

The correct answer is: Blood to blood contact with an infected person

In a barber shop setting, the most common way that HIV may spread is through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. This can occur when adequate sanitation practices are not followed. For instance, if tools such as razors or scissors nick the skin and come into contact with the blood of an HIV-positive individual, there is a potential risk for transmission. Barbers are trained to maintain hygiene in their work environment, including thoroughly disinfecting tools and surfaces, which helps minimize the risk of bloodborne pathogens. Proper cleaning prevents any viable HIV from remaining on tools or surfaces, as the virus does not survive well outside the human body. Other methods listed, such as airborne transmission, direct contact with unprotected sex, and contaminated surfaces, are not particularly relevant in a barber shop context. HIV is not spread through the air, and while contaminated surfaces can harbor various pathogens, HIV specifically requires a direct entry point into the bloodstream for transmission, which is why blood-to-blood contact is the primary concern.