I reacted to a spitting attack today

[JR 137]

Just looking at some previous posts of an old thread, perhaps this will change someone's view on spitting.

My brother in law was a corrections officer, and now an NYS Trooper. According to him (and a few other LEOs I know), intentionally using ANY bodily fluid (including spitting) against another person can be considered assault with a deadly weapon.

In jails/prisons, apparently it was getting too common for inmates to throw urine at officers. Since diseases can be transmitted through bodily fluids, this makes perfect sense.

Im not sure how well the deadly weapon part would hold up in court in a spitting case at a civilian, but against an officer it's pretty routine for it to stick.

[Spartacus Maximus]

While it isbcertainly true that many diseases and pathogens are spread through saliva, it is highly unlikely that infection could actually result from being spat on or urinated on. The sheer volume of fluid required to infect another person is much more than that contained in a few millilitres.

Even a dangerous virus such as AIDS would require prolonged contact with a high volume of saliva to result in infection. One would have to practically ingest(yes drink! Gross) litres of infected saliva to be infected.

This is the reason why a serious charge based on that would not make sense. What does make sense and what happens usually is a charge of assault or something more serious if it is done against a person representing the law.

Spitting is a universal insult and one of the worst provocations a person can do to another, regardless of culture. Spitting at anyone in any country or culture is probably the best way to start a fight. When someone spits, fists or handcuffs are usually not far behind. That is why it is so seriously considered.