Many people wonder if an exchange of saliva through kissing with an HIV positive person can cause HIV transmission.
The National Health Service (NHS) says that you can’t get infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through kissing, as evidence shows that the HIV virus is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluids, but not saliva.
Although HIV can be detected in saliva, it can’t be passed to other people through kissing because a combination of antibodies and enzymes found naturally in saliva prevent HIV infecting new cells, NHS notes.
Dr Michel Baingi, a general practitioner in Kigali, says that there are many illusions about how HIV is transmitted; it can’t be transmitted via saliva, sweat, skin, faeces, or urine.
He says, there are no risks of getting HIV from regular social contact, such as, shaking hands, sharing drinks, or hugging because those bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, anal fluid) aren’t exchanged during these activities.
Baingi explains that the most common way that HIV is spread is through sex, both oral and anal sex, that’s not protected by condoms.
He notes that HIV can also be transmitted by sharing needles and using blood containing HIV. Pregnant women with HIV can transmit the virus to their children during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. But many people living with HIV are able to have healthy, HIV-negative babies if they get good antenatal care.
Healthline states that there is no need to be afraid of getting HIV from kissing because saliva carries minuscule traces of the virus, but this isn’t considered harmful. Saliva contains enzymes that break down the virus before it has a chance to spread. Kissing, whether "French” or open-mouth, won’t transmit HIV.
However, Healthline stresses that in the rare case that an HIV-positive person has blood in their mouth — and the person receiving an open-mouth kiss has an actively bleeding wound in the mouth too (such as bleeding gums, cuts, or open sores) — an open-mouth kiss could result in transmission of the virus.
It is also known that sharing tattoo equipment without sterilising it between uses, can transmit HIV.
How well does HIV survive outside the body?
According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce outside a human host.
CDC notes that HIV is not transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other insects. It is also not transmitted through saliva, tears, or sweat, or hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets, sharing dishes, or closed-mouth or "social” kissing with someone who has HIV, or through other sexual activities that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids (for example, touching) or through the air.
Baingi says, HIV can’t survive for too long outside the body. If there is contact with blood (or other bodily fluids) that has dried or has been outside the body for a while, there isn’t a risk for transmission.
What body fluids transmit HIV?
Only certain body fluids from a person who has HIV can transmit HIV. These fluids include blood, semen (cum), pre-semen fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to occur. Mucous membranes are found inside the rectum, vagina, penis, and mouth, CDC states.
Doctors advise that if you’re concerned that you may have shared bodily fluids with a person living with HIV, ask a healthcare provider about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP can stop the virus from becoming an infection. It must be taken within 72 hours of contact to be effective.
Having a better understanding about HIV transmission not only prevents the spread of HIV, it also averts the spread of misinformation.