HIV is actually a fairly difficult virus to transmit. It will die when exposed to oxygen and requires specific sexual activities or sharing syringes with injection drug use to get into another person’s system. Higher risk activities include receptive anal sex, receptive vaginal sex, and sharing syringes. HIV is specifically transmitted through blood, breastmilk, vaginal/rectal fluids, and semen. It is absolutely safe to work, live, and share space with someone living with HIV. It can never be transmitted through touching, kissing, hugging, sharing utensils/plates, sweat, or coughing/sneezing. It also can never be transmitted by mosquitos, ticks, or other insects.
HIV Transmission
What Activities Are High and Low Risk for HIV?
High-risk activities for HIV include having sex and sharing syringes. Low-risk activities include using condoms, practicing safer sexual behaviors, and taking medications to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. High-Risk Activities for HIV The most common high-risk behavior for HIV transmission is having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive.
Can HIV Be Transmitted to Newborns?
It is possible, though very rare in the United States, for a mother to transmit HIV to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. But luckily, there are ways pregnant women with HIV can protect their babies from the virus. As long as they take a few…
Can I Get HIV From Kissing?
No, it is not possible to get HIV from kissing. HIV is only spread when the following bodily fluids come into direct contact with your bloodstream or mucous membranes: Breast milk. Vaginal fluids. Rectal fluids. Pre-seminal fluids. Semen. Blood. In the past, people thought it was possible to…
How Long Can HIV Live Outside of the Body?
HIV Outside the Body The HIV virus dies instantly if it comes into contact with oxygen. Some people think that they can get infected with the HIV virus if they come in contact with an object or surface that may have had the HIV-infected blood or semen on it, but…
What Is the Risk of Getting HIV From Oral Sex?
Though it’s theoretically possible, there are currently no known cases of HIV transmission by oral sex. Some factors that could potentially cause an infection through oral sex is direct contact of seminal fluid (from a person living with HIV) and open sores in your mouth or actively bleeding gums. Other…
How Is HIV Transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through certain bodily fluids, including blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal/rectal fluids. HIV is actually a fairly difficult virus to transmit, as it dies when it comes in contact with oxygen. HIV requires direct fluid-to-fluid transmission, like through condomless anal sex or by sharing syringes with someone…