Will I catch HIV?

Will I catch HIV?

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Q I’m travelling to Kenya to stay with my cousin, who lives there, in a few weeks’ time. She dropped into conversation last week that her housekeeper, who lives in quarters in the house, has HIV. She was very casual about it, but this lady will be preparing our food and I am scared.What precautions should I take?

A Please don’t worry. HIV is sadly very common in Africa, so your cousin will be used to contact with people who are HIV positive. The virus is spread through bodily secretions, mainly blood and semen. Men who have sex with men and black African heterosexuals are most at risk, but food preparation poses no risk of HIV transmission to you.

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