Hi, all. I got a call today from an LC friend of mine who needed some
reassurance concerning HIV transmission.

She saw a mom, dad, and newborn today and helped mom pump her milk and put it
into a Haberman feeder. Somewhere along the line, a drop or two of milk dripped
onto her finger. A number of possibilities have her concerned:

1. She has reason to suspect that at least the dad may be gay or bisexual (based
on the specific jewelry and actions). Mom is 44 and this is first baby. (Baby
has Klinefeldters (sp?) syndrome)

2. Mom asked if HIV could be transmitted through milk to baby, but did not say
specifically WHY she was asking.

3. The finger that the milk dripped on had a knife cut from 2 days ago in the
general area that the milk landed. The wound has not healed, but is not oozing
or bleeding.

LC is concerned that IF mom is HIV+ (sero-converted or not), and IF milk got
into the cut, that she could end up with the virus.

I pointed out to her the string of "ifs" that had to be true in order for this
to be a concern, and that even though the cut has not healed completely, since
it is no longer bleeding or oozing, there has to be a protective layer of cells
beginning the healing process. And that even if mom is HIV+ and it did get in
the cut, that it still is not 100% that LC would get the virus.

She understands the logic to all this, but needs some reassurance concerning
possible milk transfer of the virus. Can any of you help her get some sleep?

She tried calling CDC in Atlanta and was told to contact LLLI. She talked to an
associate of Betty Crase at the Center for Breastfeeding Information, and was
told that it didn't seem to be a problem and that Betty would call her tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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