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Expert: Terry B - 1/22/2007


Question
Is breastmilk during sex with an infected mother transmit AIDS

Answer
Dear Rajesh:

Namaste. Your question is a good one - but difficult to answer.  As early as the 1990's, a study from Nairobi indicated that women who were infected after childbirth passed HIV on to their nursing infants in about 22% of cases.  We know that there is sufficient HIV in breast milk to transmit the virus; yet in the case of nursing a child, the exposures are frequent - yet 78% of the children did not become infected.  The risk exists, but to what degree is uncertain.  I do not know of studies where transmission during sex has occurred.

Respectfully,

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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