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Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 7/11/2004


Question
i always thought that unless you cut yourself, and the other person who has HIV or AIDS and rub your blood together that you cant get aids. well im not that naive. but you know what i mean..but i mean you can french kiss someone who has aids and you wont get it right. when i was talking with my mom, and that subject came up, she basically told me to avoid people with hiv or aids like the plague. and i was "wooh! holy shit"calm down.lol.jeeez! but yeah...sorry for my stupid story with my kissing question.lol
thanx

Answer
HIV is transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing needles and from mother to child. There have been very few instances of occupational and environmental HIV transmission. It is not transmitted via kissing. Many people are afraid of HIV out of ignorance to how it is really spread. HIV is nothing like the plague and will not be spread through casual contact.  

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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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