Transmission of HIV from person to person

If you think that you have HIV, if there is any chance that you do, then you should definitely get tested and talk to a doctor as soon as possible! Protect yourself and others by getting tested for STDs, including HIV, regularly.

HIV in bodily fluids

HIV is spread from one person to another by contact with bodily fluids in which HIV is present. HIV does not survive well outside the body so direct contact with infected bodily fluids is the primary mode of HIV transmission.

  • HIV is present in, and can be spread through:
    • blood
    • semen and pre-ejaculate ("pre-cum")
    • vaginal fluid
    • rectal secretions
    • breast milk
    • any other body fluids or tissue containing blood
  • HIV is present in very small quantities in, and poses minimal transmission risk through (unless mixed with infected blood):
    • saliva
    • blister fluid
    • tears
    • nasal secretions
  • HIV is not present in (unless mixed with infected blood):
    • sweat
    • urine
    • feces
    • vomit

Forms of direct contact versus indirect contact

  • HIV can enter the body through:
    • cuts or sores on the surface of the skin
    • the bloodstream directly via a subcutaneous injection
    • the mucous membranes of the body, such as the eyes and nostril lining
    • the mouth
    • the vaginal lining and vulva
    • the penis
    • the anus and rectum
  • Forms of direct contact through which HIV can be spread:
    • unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse
    • other direct contact with blood, semen, or vaginal secretions during sexual activities or otherwise - the virus can enter the body through small cuts or abrasions on the skin, etc.
    • sharing needles or other injection devices for injecting drugs, tattooing, or piercing
    • pregnancy and childbirth of an HIV-infected mother to child - though, the chance of mother to child to transmission can be decreased with anti-retroviral treatments during the pregnancy and with the use of a Cesarean section delivery
    • receiving a blood transfusion of HIV-tainted blood - though, rigorous screening efforts of all blood donations are in place in the United States and other western countries to prevent transfusion transmission of HIV, there are parts of the world where fewer tests are performed on donated blood
  • Forms of indirect contact which are extremely unlikely to spread HIV:
    • casual, everyday touching
    • talking
    • sharing living or work space
    • using dishes and tableware
    • being bitten by mosquitoes or bedbugs
    • using doorknobs, handrails, telephones, swimming pools, hot tubs, gym equipment, toilet seats
    • donating blood - federal and state laws in the United States require blood banks to use a new needle for every donor

Forms of 'high-risk' versus 'low-risk' behavior

  • Several forms of sexual and non-sexual activity are considered 'high-risk' for the chance of contracting HIV, including:
    • intravenous drug use
    • any unprotected sex with multiple partners
    • male-male and male-female anal sex (even protected anal sex, because the chances of the condom breaking and rectal bleeding are greater)
    • sex in exchange for money or drugs
    • getting a tattoo in an area without stringent enforcement of medical regulations
  • Other activities, sexual and non-sexual, are considered 'low-risk' and present alternatives to reduce the chances of contracting or spreading HIV. Such 'low-risk' activities include:
    • mutual masturbation without exchange of bodily fluids - defined as people masturbating in the presence of each other, not people masturbating each other
    • massage
    • holding and hugging
    • talking about sexual fantasies
    • viewing erotic material

Ways to reduce the chance of contracting or spreading HIV

  • Never use injected drugs which are not administered by a doctor or nurse
  • Practice abstinence
    • Completely refraining from any sexual activity (oral, vaginal, anal or otherwise) negates the chances of contracting HIV through such activity, though many people choose safer sex as a viable protective measure.
  • Practice safe sex
    • Using a condom during sexual activity decreases the exchange of bodily fluids and are a reasonable protection against becoming infected with HIV or other STDs - condoms also have the added benefit of reducing the chance of an unwanted pregnancy.