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Expert: Terry B - 12/20/2007


Question
hi-

Is it possible to transmit hiv from drinking out of a straw of a soda from a restaurant right after someone else did and jokingly spit back in the cup "backsplash" or if they had bleeding gums and I didnt notice.

Answer
Dear Danny:

Peace.  No chance of HIV transmission in what you describe.  The combination of dilution in the soda, improbable chance of sufficient fluid from an infected person in the cup, and low risk of becoming infected from ingesting HIV even if all the other factors were present combine to place you at no risk.

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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