Transmission

HIV is found in body fluids. It is present in enough quantity to be infectious in genital fluids, blood and breast milk.

The main ways in which HIV is passed on are unprotected anal, vaginal and oral sex, by sharing injecting equipment, and from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

Condoms provide excellent protection against HIV transmission during sex.

If you inject drugs, you can reduce the risk of HIV and other infections by not sharing needles or other injecting equipment.

With the right treatment and care during pregnancy and birth, and by not breastfeeding, it’s nearly always possible to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

You cannot get HIV from kissing, by hugging, or by shaking hands with somebody with HIV – or any other normal social contact.

Nor can you get HIV by being in the same place as someone with HIV, or by sharing household items such as crockery, cutlery, or bed linen.

HIV is not passed on by spitting, sneezing or coughing.

Kissing, hugging, massage, and mutual masturbation are all completely safe.

Condoms provide excellent protection against HIV when used properly for anal, vaginal or oral sex.

The risk of HIV transmission from oral sex is much lower than for anal or vaginal sex. Some people choose to use condoms or dental dams for oral sex to reduce this risk even further.

If you inject drugs, you can reduce the risk of HIV and other infections by not sharing needles or other injecting equipment.

Many people who are HIV-negative are in successful, loving, and intimate relationships with an HIV-positive partner.

Modern HIV treatment and care can significantly improve your partner’s health and life expectancy. Many people with HIV can expect to have a near-normal lifespan. There’s a lot of support available to help you both deal with the stresses and strains related to HIV that may arise in your relationship.

It may be reassuring to know that you can stay HIV-negative. It’s completely safe to kiss and hug your partner. What’s more, many couples have intimate and fulfilling sex lives without passing on HIV