Drug information for complera on Highmark website....

[jb1973]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in another section, but, I;m sure if it is in the wrong place, a goderator will move it..  :-)....anyhoo.....

I was researching medication coverage with my insurance online via the Highmark website.  I have been keeping an eye on which meds they cover and the last time I checked Complera had not been a covered med under my plan.  It is now covered, but, I was reading "view more drug information" link and came across an interesting warning among the drug information.....

  "Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person."

What gives with the sharing razors or toothbrush remark?  I thought the razor and toothbrush way of transmission was impossible or unlikely? Would it even be possible to transmit HIV via a razor if say I cut myself and then someone used the razor after me?  I guess maybe if I sliced my jugular, but, a simple cut?

[Matty the Damned]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in another section, but, I;m sure if it is in the wrong place, a goderator will move it..  :-)....anyhoo.....

I was researching medication coverage with my insurance online via the Highmark website.  I have been keeping an eye on which meds they cover and the last time I checked Complera had not been a covered med under my plan.  It is now covered, but, I was reading "view more drug information" link and came across an interesting warning among the drug information.....

  "Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person."

What gives with the sharing razors or toothbrush remark?  I thought the razor and toothbrush way of transmission was impossible or unlikely? Would it even be possible to transmit HIV via a razor if say I cut myself and then someone used the razor after me?  I guess maybe if I sliced my jugular, but, a simple cut?

Alas this sort of misinformation is all too common. Why? I don't know. Because people are idiots? Because lawyers write these things rather than scientists?

Who can say?

I can say that you cannot contract HIV by sharing toothbrushes or razors. You shouldn't share such items because it's gross, but there's no HIV risk.

MtD