HIV transmission through kissing is a myth. Only the exchange of certain bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, pre-ejaculate, rectal or vaginal fluids can transmit the HIV virus.
In the ongoing fight against HIV, understanding the facts about transmission is crucial. Contrary to some misconceptions, HIV primarily spreads through specific bodily fluids that contain a sufficient amount of the virus. These fluids include blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk [1][3][5].
The common modes of HIV transmission are well-documented. Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with an infected person poses a significant risk. Sharing needles or syringes, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, and rare instances through infected blood transfusions or organ transplants complete the list [2][3].
However, a common question that arises is the risk of transmitting HIV through kissing. The good news is that the risk is considered very low to negligible. Saliva contains natural enzymes and antibodies that prevent HIV transmission, so HIV cannot be spread through saliva itself. However, open-mouth or “deep” kissing could pose a very small risk only if both partners have bleeding gums, open sores, or cuts in their mouths [4].
To clarify, kissing a person living with HIV does not pose a significant risk, unless there are open bleeding sores in both partners' mouths [4][2]. This understanding helps reduce stigma and misinformation around HIV transmission.
It's important to note that many unfounded myths surround HIV transmission. A person can only transmit HIV through certain body fluids that contain HIV, such as blood, semen, and breast milk. Effective HIV treatment can reduce a person's viral load to undetectable levels, and people who are taking HIV medications correctly and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV through sex [6].
The primary modes of HIV transmission include sexual transmission (during anal or vaginal sex without a condom) and the sharing of needles or other injection drug equipment. HIV transmission can occur through the sharing of breast milk from an HIV-positive mother to her baby [7].
In summary, understanding the facts about HIV transmission is key to reducing stigma and misinformation. Kissing a person living with HIV does not pose a significant risk, unless there are open bleeding sores in both partners' mouths. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact or saliva, and effective HIV treatment significantly lowers the risk of transmission [6].
References: [1] Avert (2021). How is HIV transmitted? https://www.avert.org/professional/hiv-aids/transmission-prevention/how-hiv-transmitted [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). HIV Transmission. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html [3] World Health Organization (2021). HIV Transmission. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/hiv-transmission [4] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (2021). How is HIV Transmitted? https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids-basics [5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2021). HIV Basics. https://www.hhs.gov/hiv/basics/index.html [6] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2021). Undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U). https://www.hhs.gov/hiv/prevention/resources/research/index.html [7] Avert (2021). Mother-to-child transmission of HIV. https://www.avert.org/professional/hiv-aids/transmission-prevention/mother-to-child-transmission-hiv
Mental and sexual health are crucial aspects of overall health-and-wellness, and it's essential to address the facts, not myths, to understand them better. While HIV primarily spreads through specific bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk, the risk of transmission through non-intimate contact, like casual contact or saliva, is considered very low to negligible. Effective mental health treatment can help individuals better understand and manage various health concerns, including sexual health and HIV.