It is not possible to transmit or contract AIDS, or stage 3 HIV. There are many myths about HIV transmission, such as mosquito bites, but debunking them can help people understand what precautions to take and when to see a doctor.
Innovations in testing and treatment have reduced the risk of contracting HIV and helped those with HIV live long and healthy lives.
It is now possible to reduce the levels of this virus in the body so that they are undetectable in a test. At this point, the virus is untransmittable. This means that a person
To maintain this level, however, the person will need to continue taking their medication. Otherwise, viral levels can rise again.
Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can also help prevent transmission. Learn about one type of PrEP here.
This article looks at some common misconceptions about HIV transmission.
Fact: HIV cannot spread through touching, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Shaking hands, hugging, high fiving, and similar types of physical contact will not transmit the virus.
A person can only contract the virus if they come into contact with the following fluids from a person who already has HIV:
- blood
- breast milk
- preseminal
- rectal
- semen
- vaginal
HIV does not transmit through saliva.
These fluids must come into contact with another person’s mucous membranes — such as in or on their rectum, vagina, penis, or mouth — for the person to be at risk of contracting HIV.
Transmission can also occur via broken skin or by using infected needles.
Fact: Some people believe that they can contract HIV from infected insects or pets. This is
To transmit HIV, a mosquito or another insect would have to bite a person with HIV, then inject the blood back into another person’s body.
Also, HIV would not survive in a mosquito due to the different genetic makeup compared with human DNA.
Insects do not reinject blood into a new person, so they cannot transmit HIV.
Other forms of the virus do exist, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which affects cats. However, HIV only affects humans. Humans cannot contract FIV or other immunodeficiency viruses in animals.
For more in-depth information and resources on HIV and AIDS, visit our dedicated hub.
Fact: HIV cannot live long outside the body, and it cannot survive in water. As a result, it is not possible to
Furthermore, it is not possible to contract HIV from:
- sharing food with someone who has HIV
- eating food with traces of blood on it
- sharing toilets or bathroom facilities
- coming into contact with saliva, sweat, or tears
The virus cannot survive exposure to the air or heat from cooking. Also, if a person ate food with traces of the virus on it, their stomach acid would kill it.
Fact: Different strains of HIV exist, and strains can change over time. If a person and their partner have two different strains of HIV, it is possible for them to transmit these to each other. This can lead to reinfection, which can complicate treatment.
Current medications can reduce the levels of this virus in the body so that it is untransmittable. If this happens for both partners, HIV protection may be unnecessary.
A healthcare provider can advise each couple on their situation.
Even if there is no risk of transmitting HIV, other sexually transmitted infections can spread as a result of having sex without a condom or other barrier method.
Fact: Healthcare professionals in the United States and many other countries rigorously test the blood supply for a variety of blood-related infections, including HIV.
Banked blood that is available for transfusion does not contain HIV. The virus cannot spread through organ and tissue donations, as these also undergo testing.
When scientists were first identifying HIV, they did not know what caused the virus or how it spread. As a result, they did not test donated blood for HIV, and some people contracted the virus in this way.
Now, however, strict testing ensures that no viruses are present in the blood supply.
Anyone who has concerns about blood or organs they are going to receive can speak to a healthcare professional about the product and the testing process.
It is not possible to contract HIV by donating blood, as all needles and other materials are sterile.
Fact: Healthcare professionals consider contracting HIV from oral sex rare but possible.
During oral sex, placing the mouth on the penis, vagina, or anus can potentially expose a person to infected fluids that could enter the mucous membranes in their mouth.
Although the risk of contracting HIV as a result of engaging in oral sex is
People can use a barrier method of protection, such as a
To prevent transmission, healthcare professionals recommend engaging in monogamous sex with a partner who is taking antiretroviral therapy consistently (if they have HIV). Antiretroviral therapy can reduce a person’s viral levels so that HIV is untransmittable.
Fact: HIV does not transmit through saliva, and it is
A person is also highly unlikely to contract or transmit HIV via open-mouth kissing.
For this to happen, both people would have to have large, open sores in their mouth through which blood could pass.
Fact: HIV can survive in a used needle for
A person should use a new needle each time they inject themselves with a prescription or recreational drug.
They should also ensure that a tattooist uses fresh needles before getting a tattoo.
It is not possible to transmit AIDS, or stage 3 HIV, but it is possible to spread HIV in some circumstances. There are many treatment options available to help prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.
Anyone who is concerned that they may have HIV or could face exposure to it may wish to speak to a healthcare professional about testing.
By dispelling myths about HIV and AIDS, more people can seek diagnosis and treatment early and lead long, healthy lives.