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Expert: Terry B - 3/25/2007


Question
While buying  a milk shake the server cut her finger on the ice cream case. I noticed blood on the the milk shake lid and straw, so I returned the shake and got another one. Question... if a few drops of blood fell into the ice cream... and was served in the shake.... could the child get aids. Thats if the person had AIDs to begin with.

Answer
Dear Archie:

Peace.  Your question is whether ingesting HIV contained in blood and diluted in a milk shake could transmit HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)?  I would think the answer is no.  Factors in disease transmission include amount of virus, amount of the fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk) encountered, and route of transmission.  If there were a drop of blood in the milkshake, there is a chance (small) that it could contain intact HIV, if the server were infected; ingesting it (drinking the shake) would not be a highly dangerous way of being exposed (as compared to the blood directly contacting an open sore).  

On the other hand, there are other blood-bourne diseases, such as Hepatitis, that are more easily transmitted.  The precautions health care workers take, and those that govern food service settings, would indicate that an actively bleeding worker not be serving food.  I might recommend contacting the manager at the place where you bought the milkshake to ensure that they know and use correct food safety procedures.

Again, peace.  Have a great day.

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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