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
Question Is it possible to contract HIV from a splinter? I bumped my finger on the cistern near the toilet flushing handle in a public bathroom and a tiny splinter the size of a sewing needle tip went into my finger. When I got it out 7 hours later I saw it was a red splinter. The area I bumped my finger was wet and sooty. If someone who just changed their tampon flushed the toilet and got blood on the part where I got my splinter, is it possible for me to contract HIV?
Thanks a lot.
Answer Dear Anonymous:
Peace and a fond hello to South Africa. I have many good memories of your country and glad for the work being done there. I see the risk of HIV transmission in what you describe as being remote. The number of things that would need to happen to place you at risk - mainly the remote chance that the splinter was wet with the blood, semen, or vaginal secretions of an infected person - would seem to argue for it not being a risk.
I would, however, recommend that if you have been sexually active that you be tested and know your HIV status. In 2003, last time I was in Pretoria, the rate of infection among women of childbearing age was about 24% - it is good to know - rather than guess at - your health status.
Again, I don't see what happened as putting you at HIV risk. I do recommend that every sexually active adult be tested to know their status, and counseled to know how to reduce or eliminate risk.
