Can HIV spread through milk contaminated with vaginal fluid?

Question

Hello doctor,

What will happen if milk contaminated with vaginal fluid is consumed?
Can you contract HIV by drinking it?
Does milk pasteurization kill HIV?
Will the HIV die after mixing with milk?
Are there any risks?

Please answer all the questions.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read the query, and I can understand your concern.

Please let me know the circumstances under which this hypothetical situation arose. Sorry, I lack any scientific data addressing your query about consuming vaginal fluid-contaminated milk. Yes, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) gets killed by pasteurization. Pasteurized breast milk is a safe alternative feeding for HIV-exposed infants. If you are talking about breast milk, HIV is found in the breast milk, and there are studies in the literature that shows that HIV can cross mucosal tissue in the mouth and upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract to infect neonates. You have not explained the scenario for risk assessment.

I hope this will help you. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you.