Is this HIV blood in an apple purchased in a bangketa?

Noche shared how she had heard rumors going about that there were fruits being sold in fruit stands in Quiapo and Recto areas which had been injected with HIV-infected blood. Noche says is one of the few who discovered she had purchased a contaminated fruit, but was lucky enough to have spotted it. Noche said she noticed the apple had a bruise on it and what seemed like a syringe puncture. Thanks to her boyfriend who had warned her about injecting HIV-tainted blood in fruits, though, she sliced the apple before consuming it and indeed found the bloody mark.

Noche shared her story on Facebook with hopes to raise awareness and help netizens remain vigilant.

The question here, though, is that if it was indeed HIV-infected blood that was in the apple and if Noche had consumed it, would she have been infected with HIV?

HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Over time, HIV can destroy many of specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells or T cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease anymore.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV can be transmitted mainly through sexual contact with an HIV-infected person such as anal sex (the highest-risk sexual behavior) and vaginal sex and having multiple partners and sharing needles, syringes, rinse water, or other equipment used to prepare injection drugs with someone who has HIV.

Less commonly, HIV may be spread by:

• Being born to an infected mother;
• Being stuck with an HIV-contaminated needle or other sharp object;
• Receiving blood transfusions, blood products, or organ/tissue transplants that are contaminated with HIV;
• Eating food that has been pre-chewed by an HIV-infected person;
• Being bitten by a person with HIV;
• Having oral sex;
• Having contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or blood-contaminated body fluids; and
• deep, open-mouth kissing if the person with HIV has sores or bleeding gums and blood is exchanged.

In this case, it cannot be fully concluded that Noche may have been infected with HIV if she had eaten the bloody part. The aforementioned transmissions are very rare and are low risk transmission. Low risks, however, do not mean HIV-free.

It must also be considered that the substance in the apple could not be HIV-infected or even be blood at all since there were no medical or scientific tests done on the fruit. Nonetheless, this incident can serve as a warning to all netizens and citizens to be vigilant in the food products and produce they purchase. Take note of bruises, puncture marks, and changes in packaging when buying goods to ensure one’s safety. Regardless if consuming HIV-tainted food items can infect you or not, it’s always best to keep safe and not take any risks at all.