Bette had discovered several interesting and informative articles on the Internet. One of them stated, ‘All unprotected acts of sexual penetration (anal, vaginal, oral) carry a risk of HIV transmission because they bring body fluids secreted during ***** directly into contact with exposed mucous membranes (the lining of the *****, the *****, the urethra and the mouth).’

Well there it was! Risk was a definite factor because that had certainly happened. There had been contact of body fluids to the mucous membranes of her mouth.

Another article stated, ‘If you are receiving oral ***** from someone else, you are only being exposed to saliva. The concentrations of the virus in saliva are so low that nobody has ever been infected from saliva. If you are giving someone oral *****, there is a risk of infection, since pre-*****, *****, vaginal secretions and menstrual blood can get into your mouth. The more of these body fluids you are exposed to, the greater the risk of infection there would be.’

It went on to say, ‘Fingering is considered low-risk for HIV. If there are fresh, open cuts on the fingers, there would be some possibility of infection. However, since most of the time people don’t have fresh open cuts on their fingers, this is generally considered a low-risk activity. If you were to get vaginal secretions directly in a fresh open cut on your hands, yes, there is a possibility of infection. But there would be an even greater possibility of infection if vaginal secretions were to get onto a mucous membrane like the mouth. Cuts and abrasions are much more likely to occur on mucous membranes than regular skin. Mucous membranes are found on the head of the *****, the *****, *****, eyes, nose and mouth.’

There it was again, proof of her risk. At least this helped to cut out risk to Tina. She had been so guilty for ***** around with Candace, that she had not touched Tina until that final night. And there had been no oral *****. She was also positive there were no cuts on her hands or fingers. Even when Tina had bit her, she hadn’t drawn blood, so there was no blood in contact with Tina’s mucous membranes.

Bette breathed a little easier and continued her research. She found the most informative article next. It was a self-learning packet for registered and licensed nurses and therapists. Bette quickly scanned through the fifty-five page document. It gave all kinds of facts as to history, prevention, transmission, treatment, and testing of the HIV Virus, just to mention a few.

One item in the packet stated, ‘In 1985, the FDA mandated the testing of all donated blood to reduce transmission through blood products.’

Bette had read in one of the other articles that all donated blood and organs were tested for the virus. Thank God they were Bette thought, thinking back to Candace. According to the articles she had read so far, there were a lot of medicines now that could contain the virus for years. Case studies she had read about that people with the virus remained AIDS free for at least eight years, and with the medicines now, some of the cases had shown that even after ten years with the virus, they hadn’t turn become symptomatic. Candace had options. There might even be a preventative drug that could stop that transformation, or a cure for AIDS its self within the next ten years. Scientists had come so far in this fight. But they still hadn’t beaten it. Bette pulled herself out of thought and went back to reading.

‘French kissing may become a risky behavior if there are sores around or in the mouth or bleeding gums. Mutual masturbation can also be risky if there are cuts and abrasions on the hand that may be exposed to vaginal fluid, ***** or blood. Caution should also be used when using ***** toys that may be contaminated with body fluids; never share ***** toys with others.’

Then Bette read about a case of HIV being transmitted by kissing. Bette had kissed Tina several times after Candace. They had been tender, gentle, guilty apologetic kisses. ‘The case involved a man who most likely transmitted HIV to his female sexual partner through deep kissing. The source of the infection was an HIV-positive man who had a history of gum disease. He reported that his gums frequently bled after he brushed and flossed his teeth. He reported that he generally engaged in sexual intercourse and deep kissing at night after he brushed his teeth. Under these circumstances, the woman he was kissing was exposed to saliva contaminated with blood.’

Thank God! Blood was involved again! The possibility of transmission to Tina seemed to be almost non-existent! Bette prayed, “Please don’t let me find anything that suggests that if I have contracted this virus that I could have passed it onto Tina.”

She read on. ‘Oral ***** is a low risk behavior if a condom or dental dam is used.’ WHY COULDN’T I HAVE REMEMBERED PROTECTION! She screamed at herself. ‘If protection is not used there is risk of infection from bleeding gums, sores or cuts on the genitalia or mouth.’

‘Saliva, tears, sweat and urine can have the virus in them, but in such small concentrations that nobody has ever been infected through them. However, if any body fluid is visibly contaminated with blood, the risk of transmission exists.’

The real meat of the packet came next. ‘Sexual contact is the number one method of transmission of HIV in the world. Transmission can occur from any infected partner, male or female. Within the first two weeks of the virus entering the bloodstream, the viral load increases quickly. The infected person may have mild flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. Symptoms, when present, usually occur within the first thirty days of infection and may include fatigue, malaise, rash, fever and/or lymphadenopathy. The window period is the period of time from the initial infection of HIV until antibodies can be detected in the blood (2 weeks to 6 months). About 6 months (2-3 months in most persons) after infection, antibodies to HIV can be detected.’

‘When this happens, it is called an HIV antibody-positive seroconversion. Once established inside the body, the virus appears to be clinically dormant. The infected person is asymptomatic for a variable period of time, usually lasting about 8 years.

There was that eight-year statement again. “See Candace,” Bette thought, “There is time for new scientific discoveries to help you.” Bette mentally shook herself. Keep reading!

‘Although there are no symptoms of disease, HIV is not inactive and is busy damaging normal T cells. Eventually the CD4 cell count drops to the point (approximately 250/mmQ) where the immune system becomes compromised and opportunistic infections occur in a normally healthy person. HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact, from food, toilet seats and mosquito bites. HIV cannot be transmitted via sweat, tears, saliva (unless contaminated by blood) or by donating blood.’

Then came the part about testing for HIV. This was something Bette definitely had to do.

The packet stated, ‘In addition to blood tests, there are urine and saliva tests available that can detect HIV antibodies. In the clinical setting, rapid HIV testing can be done so test results are available the same day. HIV testing can also be done at home using commercial home testing kits.’

‘A negative antibody screening test means the person does not have antibodies for HIV. False negative results to an antibody screen do occur and are usually due to testing in the window period of HIV infection. The window period is the time between initial infection until the presence of HIV antibodies (seroconversion). Seroconversion usually occurs within two to three months after initial infection, with almost all persons seroconverting within six months. Patients should have antibody testing repeated at six months if they are in the window period and avoid risky behaviors during that time.’

‘There are several other antibody tests available. Rapid tests must be performed in the clinical setting by a laboratory technician. Test results are usually available within 10 to 15 minutes. Positive results must be confirmed by a supplemental antibody test.’

Ok, the risk to Tina was slim to none. But now Bette had to get to the doctor and get tested. Two weeks was when it could first be detected. It had been over a month. She picked up her phone to call the doctor’s office. She could also question her doctor on the risk of Tina having acquired this from her, if indeed she herself had it.

*****! It was too late tonight. First thing in the morning she would call and make the appointment.