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Expert: Terry B - 9/17/2007


Question
I wanna know that if i drink a HIV+ blood , would i get infected with AIDS? As far as i know that the virus will get destroyed in our stomach because of the acids present, is it true?

Answer
Dear Amit:

Peace.  Exposure to the blood of another person places you at risk of many infections, including HIV.  HIV transmission risk increases with infections, irritations, or other breaks in skin and mucous membranes - including gingivitis and dental caries (cavities).  The passage from your lips to your stomach is a long way to travel.  

The greater the amount of blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk, the greater the risk.  We do know that some studies have shown that about 22% of children ingesting breast milk from HIV infected mothers contract the virus.  I do not know of similar studies on ingested blood.

So... short answer to your question, it is a risk to drink HIV+ fluids; how much of a risk varies.

Hope that 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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