AIDS/HIV

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Expert: Terry B - 3/19/2008


Question
Hi Terry,

Please could you help me.  I have just been to try on a pair of jeans at a shop.  I then noticed that the jeans had blood inside the gusset, from a previous customer.  I did have loose underwear on which did not cover me properly.  Is there anyway that I could have contracted HIV from this.

Thank you

Answer
Dear Beth:

Peace.  I had to look up what a "gusset" was but now that I think I know (the fabric triangle used to add breadth to the crotch of the pants?) I can hopefully be of help.

If the blood you noticed was dry, there is no risk at all; if the blood were wet (I am assuming not soaking wet) it would possibly constitute at worst a brief skin contact and no appreciable risk of HIV transmission.

Best to you and yours.

Terry

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Terry B

Expertise

Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice

Experience

Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.

Organizations
Disabled American Veterans American Public Health Association MENSA AA

Publications
Human Variety, EC Sociological Society Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa "HIV and Primary Care"

Education/Credentials
BS Psychology MPH Master of Public Health PhD studies underway

Awards and Honors
Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction

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