Daniel Lee, M. D.Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
UCSD Medical Center
Owen Clinic
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Aloha,
I must admit that we don't know much about HIV/AIDS, but we are considering
sharing our home with a man who is HIV positive. He receives monetary assistance as well
as medications from a Program in the state of CA. If he can receive similar
here in HI, we will consider sharing our home with him in exchange for
assistance around our home/garden.
My question is this, is there anything we should know or be aware of if we do
this? Can AIDS be transmitted by casual contact? Are there any precautions we
should be aware of or any special needs of someone that is HIV.
Forgive me for my ignorance!
Daniel Lee, M. D.
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
UCSD Medical Center
Owen Clinic
In regards to your question, sharing a home with someone with HIV is not much difference than living with anyone else. The only way to get HIV from someone else is by exposure to seminal or vaginal fluids through unprotected sexual activity (oral, anal, vaginal sex), by exposure to blood or blood products from sharing needles (through injection drug use or tattoos), blood transfusions, or passing it from mother to infant (breastfeeding). One cannot get HIV through sharing the bathroom with someone w/HIV, using the same utensils, or by casual contact (touching, hugging, closed mouth kissing). However, if there is blood present in the stools or kitchen utensil or an open bleeding sore, then there is potential risk of infection, but only if you come in contact with it in a mucous membrane (such as mouth, eyes, rectum, vagina, or urethra). As long as you have intact unbroken skin, HIV cannot be transmitted through the skin. I hope that helps to answer your question and to alleviate your fears or concerns. Thank you for your question and interest in educating yourself about HIV/AIDS.
Ignorance is only when someone does not ask a question when one does not know the answer. Thanks again.060613
ASKD060610
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