Expert: Ian - 10/18/2009

Question
dear Ian.
i have this special problem. i have three years old son who keeps touching or putting things from the ground in his mouth - while his teeth are growing and it bleeds quite often... i am quite stressed about possibilities of this special environmental transmission of hiv.. as it is just impossible to watch over him. all the time....

what do you say? thank you very very muchfor the answer....

Answer
Hi

Thanks for the question, and I can see why you're worried. But, in the situation you describe, there is no risk of catching HIV. HIV is hard to catch apart from the well-known routes of transmission (so, unprotected sex, and sharing needles and syringes when using drugs). Of course, he could be at risk of some other (relatively minor) infections (so, upset stomach), but children are always putting things in their mouths, and sometimes this is a good thing, as it helps them develop immunity.

You don't need to worry about HIV here.

Hope this helps - feel free to send a follow up.

Best wishes

Ian