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 I was dining with my cowokers and we went to a Korean restaurant were everyone eats and shares food from the same plate, I was reluctant to do this but did not want offend anyone as I just started the job. Anyway the guy next to me had soars on his arms from insect bites and was scratching and picking at them but i saw no signs of blood. He was handling the plates and other utensils including my chopsticks, could I be infect this way?
Answer Dear Genan:
Peace. While what you describe sounds ... well, unappetizing ... it won't place you at risk of HIV transmission unless your skin and/or mucous membranes come into contact with his blood or semen, and then your risk increases with the amount and means by which you are exposed(open cut to open cut, for instance being higher risk than those same fluids on your intact skin). There are other diseases that can be more easily transmitted than HIV, and anyone with open sores poses some risk if they have infections.
The short answer to your question, no you would not be at risk of HIV transmission from what you describe.
