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AIDS/broken skin?

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Expert: Terry B - 7/15/2007


Question
Dear Terry, can you please further explain whats a broken skin? skin where its expose to blood or what?

thanks

Answer
Dear Aaron:

Peace and all good things to you.  Skin and mucous membranes are our bodies' first defense against pathogens (germs).  In the course of time, trauma and disease cause breaks in that defense.  A sore, scratch, or cut that oozing fluid would be considered "open" - generally meaning a pathogen could have access to the bloodstream. This is why injection equipment is so effective in transmitting HIV among injection drug users. This is also why diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (which often create such "breaks" in the form of warts and internal open lesions) is so important.

I hope this clarifies and assists you in reducing your risk and understanding HIV/AIDS.

The very best to you and yours.

Terry

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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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