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AIDS/HIV Transmission via Water Query

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Expert: Terry B - 8/5/2009


Question
Hi.
About 6 months ago I was at a club and cut my foot on a piece of glass, a friend whose HIV status I am unsure of sucked the cut in order to stop it bleeding. About an hour later a different friend and I got into a jacuzzi with some other people at the club. What are my chances of having contracted HIV?

Answer
Dear Hailey:

Peace.  I don't think you are at risk of HIV transmission in what you describe - I can't see any significant exposure to blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.  Whether you place others at risk would be a more likely question, not so much of HIV but of possible hepatitis or other infections more easily transmitted.  Know your health status, and where possible, avoid exchanges of blood or other bodily fluids.

For more information on HIV and how it is transmitted, I suggest www.thebody.com for further reading.

Hope this helps,

Terry

AIDS

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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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