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Avatar universal

Blood on duck

My friend was cooking duck breasts the other night and they were resting on the counter. I'd never had duck before and couldn't wait to taste it, so I stuck my finger into the "juice" that was on top of the resting, cooked duck breast and it tasted just like blood (gross). We then discover about 5 minutes later that my friend who made the duck is bleeding, by finding drops of blood on the floor and we trace the bleeding to a pretty big cut on her thumb. Earlier, she had moved the duck from the roasting pan to the cutting board on the counter with her fingers. If the "juice" that was resting on the duck was really her blood, and i tasted it, and she were HIV positive, What is my risk? The meat wasn't very hot and it hadn't been sitting out long prior to me tasting it. Help! I need to ease my mind..
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question.

Swallowing HIV infected materials carries little risk of infection.  For example, among babies nursed by infected mothers, whose milk contains HIV, only about 15% become infected after 6 months of daily swallowing several ounces.  While blood might be higher risk than breast milk, the actual risk is very, very low and probably zero, especially given the small amount (a drop or two).

Second, what makes you think your friend might have HIV?  If she isn't at obvious high risk (injection drug user, commercial sex worker, etc) then almost certainly she doesn't have it.  Either way, I suggest you ask her!  Even if she is HIV-positive, I would still see no need for you to be tested; but if negative, you should find the information reassuring.

Regards--  HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your response. I did talk to my friend and while she's not a drug user and not a sex worker, she only tried to reassure me that she wasn't bleeding at that point based on the fact there was no blood on the white plates she served to immediately after (she never said she was negative). In an attempt to not be the "crazy friend", I dropped it with her. Can I just let this one go, say there's no risk, and exhale? If I were your family member, would that be your advice?
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"Can I just let this one go, say there's no risk, and exhale?"

Yup.

"If I were your family member, would that be your advice?"

Yup.  Same if it were me personally.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dr.,

Last comment... would the presence of a canker sore change this advice? I do have one on the side and top of my mouth. Thanks for your patience.. I'm having trouble letting this one go...
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"I'm having trouble letting this one go..."

Obviously.

"would the presence of a canker sore change this advice?"

No.

That's all for this thread.  I'll have no further comments or advice.
Helpful - 0

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