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AIDS/aids from blood in mouth-kissing/oral sex

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Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 4/25/2005


Question
How much blood in the mouth is needed to get HIV ( e.g., from open-mouth kissing or giving oral sex to a woman with blood in her vaginal fluids?) Isn't there acid and other stuff in the mouth/saliva and stomach that would kill the virus, so a lot of blood would be needed?  

Answer
Vaginal fluid transmits HIV, so there does not have to be blood present for transmission. Nothing in the mouth kills HIV either. It is hard to say how much blood or any other fluid is needed for transmission because it depends on the situation. Saliva is not one of the fluids that transmits HIV, however, so kissing does not present a risk.  

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Volunteer

Kristen Brannock, MPH

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning HIV infection and AIDS. This includes ways it can and cannot be transmitted, how it is treated, how it affects the body and methods to protect yourself. I can also answer questions concerning safer sex and contraception.

Experience

I trained with the Red Cross to become an HIV/AIDS counselor and was a member of CARES- Carolina AIDS Resource Education Service in college. I have an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education and conduct research in the field of HIV prevention. I also take continuing education courses in HIV/STI prevention periodically.

Education/Credentials
Master of Public Health Health Behavior and Health Education UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (formerly UNC-CH School of Public Health)

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