HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. Although it can be transmitted through certain body fluids, it cannot spread through ordinary daily contact. Understanding how HIV is and is not transmitted can help reduce fear, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
1. Hugging and touching
HIV cannot be transmitted through hugging, holding hands, shaking hands or ordinary physical contact. You can safely show affection and support to a person living with HIV.
2. Sharing food and utensils
Eating from the same plate or using the same cups, spoons or forks does not spread HIV. The virus is not transmitted through saliva or through normal food and drinks.
3. Sharing a toilet
Using the same toilet, bathroom or shower as someone with HIV does not put you at risk. HIV does not survive or spread through toilet seats, urine or ordinary household surfaces.
4. Coughing and sneezing
HIV is not an airborne infection. It cannot be spread through coughing, sneezing or breathing the same air. This means you can sit, work or study in the same room with someone who has HIV without contracting the virus.
5. Mosquito bites
Mosquitoes and other insects do not transmit HIV. Even though mosquitoes can spread some other diseases, HIV cannot reproduce inside them or be passed from one person to another through a bite.
6. Swimming together
Swimming in the same pool does not spread HIV. The virus is not transmitted through swimming pool water, sweat or ordinary contact with water.
7. Casual kissing
HIV is not spread through ordinary kissing because saliva does not transmit the virus. However, deep kissing involving blood from open sores or bleeding gums presents a very rare theoretical risk.
It is important to remember that HIV can be transmitted through specific exposures, including unprotected sexual contact, sharing contaminated needles and certain forms of contact with infected blood. It can also pass from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, although treatment can greatly reduce this risk.
Knowing the facts helps communities support people living with HIV without unnecessary fear or discrimination.
