AboutTerry 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
Expert: Terry B Date: 8/19/2008 Subject: blood in pepsi .. help i'm a mom
Question plz i am a mom i have a 2 month old baby and i am breast feeding him , i drank pepsi from a resturant that tasted weird like blood or i dont know but i got scared that maybe the worker put some hiv blood in it , cuz the second pepsi also tasted weird but not the same taste , i have problem in my gums , i drank aloot of pepsi even with the weird taste cuz i did not think at the time , after i got really scared that i become infected with hiv , i have a baby should i stop feeding him from my breast ..
1- if i drank aloot and the drink contained alot of blood taking into account the cuts in my mouth n the gum problems wht r the risks , plz one last time
Answer Dear Amanda:
Peace and all good things. You are not at risk of HIV transmission from what you describe, and neither is your child. Please talk with your primary care provider and a dentist about your gums and the bleeding, this sounds like a more serious problem and treatable.
The reasons you are not at risk from blood in the Pepsi is that sufficient blood to transmit HIV through your ingesting it is significant enough that you would see and taste more than just a 'weirdness'.
Best to you and yours, and yes, the sores in your mouth sound as though they would place you at greater risk for other infections; please see your health provider.
