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From: JAHAYES@miamiu.bitnet
Newsgroups: soc.motss,sci.med.aids,alt.sex
Subject: Re: Can you get AIDS from kissing?
Message-ID: <34121@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 9 Apr 90 19:43:10 GMT
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In article <33973@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>, dasys1!paladin@cmcl2.nyu.edu (John Lee)
says:
>
>I think the subject title says it all.  Can you get HIV from kissing?
>Can you get it from saliva?  I know that HIV has been found in saliva,
>but I've also heard that saliva acts to neutralize the virus and that
>there have been no known cases of AIDS being transmitted via kissing.
>
>Also, how accurate are tests for HIV antibodies?
>
Well, you said it.  There are no known cases of transmission via
kissing.  I suppose, given the enormous number of potential cases
where that MIGHT have happened but hasn't, that indicates that such
transmission is EXTREMELY unlikely.  Not impossible, I suppose, but
from what we know about the structure of this particular virus, it's
damned unlikely.  It is probably MORE likely, however, if you have
open sores (uck!) in or around your mouth and so does your partner;
in that way you could have blood-to-blood transfer....but it strikes
me as pretty unlikely.
 
The tests themselves are pretty good; it's whether or not they are
performed well that counts.  I would recommend getting at least two
tests done very close together; if they're both negative, don't sweat
it.  If they differ, get another.  Ask around; there may be a testing
service with a reputation for accuracy in your area.
>
>--John
>
-------
Josh Hayes, Zoology Department, Miami University, Oxford OH 45056
voice: 513-529-1679      fax: 513-529-6900
 
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