Are these questions allowed?

[balanced_percept]

Hi,

I am wondering if it is allowed to ask some general questions related to HIV transmission in order to clear doubts. I have two quick questions, and I would appreciate if they could be answered. However, if general questions (without any personal risk) such as these are not allowed then please just ignore my post.

1. Is there a difference between sexual transmission of HIV and blood to blood HIV transmission? Is one more risky than the other? This recent article shows that there does exist some sort of difference. http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report_aids-virus-changes-in-semen-make-it-different-than-what-it-is-in-blood_1426292

2. I would like to know if one window period (3 months) applies to both, sexual and blood to blood transmission. I have read somewhere that the window period for testing isn't the same for both, but I am not too sure where I read that.

Thanks  

[RobertToms8822]

DON'T TAKE ANY RISKS PERIOD!  They are all risky - DON'T SHARE NEEDLES AND WEAR CONDOMS FOR Vaginal and anal intercourse and you wont have to worry. PERIOD

Best Wishes

[balanced_percept]

Thanks very much for replying.

By blood to blood I specifically meant risks such as sharing needle, injection and blood transfusion etc. I used to think that this kind of blood to blood transmission would be more risky. Could you please clarify?

[RobertToms8822]

(1) Unprotected Sexual Intercourse is more risky - Blood to blood infection would only happen if you and the infected person basically cut yourself at the same time and rubbed fresh active bleeding cuts together. HIV needs to attach to specific cells that are only found DEEP into a cut that is bleeding.

(2) Window period of 3 months is for any risk for HIV

Hope this helps

Best Wishes