Expert: Terry B - 9/21/2008

Question
as per ur instructions i read each & everything possible on modes of transmission of HIV. but i still have 1 doubt.

my girlfriend had blood transfusion about a week back & i do not know of her HIV status after that transfusion. i kissed her yesterday which involved deep kissing. she put her tongue into my mouth. i tried to remove it & i fear in the process may have scratched it. i immediately spit all of the saliva in my mouth . in it were 2 red dots. when i checked her mouth i could not find any visible blood. i also asked her if she felt pain in her tongue to which she said "no".i also asked her if she felt blood in her mouth to which she said "no". i checked her mouth, gums, entire tongue, teeth but could not find any visible blood.

can i get infected? sorry for all the trouble.

Answer
My dearest Karan:

Peace, and I hope your girlfriend still likes you!   A blood transfusion is an important thing and usually indicates some health problems or an injury, I hope she is okay and didn't feel your inspection was adding insult to her injury.

Almost all of the blood used in transfusions through reputable clinics is screened for HIV; while there is no perfect system, the risk of infection from blood transfusion has crept closer to zero for years.  Kissing, even if she were infected, is of such low risk (even with an abrasion or two) as to not even constitute a significant exposure.

So kiss away, and if exposure to other fluids might be expected, protect yourself and those you love.

Best to you and yours,

Terry