Can You Get HIV From Kissing? Check This out

It is crucial that you understand how to protect yourself and your partner against a variety of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as the prevalence of these infections is on the rise. Adolescents are especially susceptible to this. One such disease is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

healthline describes HIV as a virus that weakens the immune system (which works to keep you healthy and disease-free). It is quite easy for bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even some cancers to attack your body if you do not get HIV medication. Consequently, you’ll rapidly deteriorate into a critical condition. People with HIV have the ability to live long and healthy lives if they are detected early and given the right treatment.

How does a person become infected with HIV?

Though HIV can be transmitted through casual contact, most daily activities pose little to no threat of infection to others. In order for the HIV virus to move from one person to another, four conditions must be met.

First, HIV needs access to bodily fluids including sperm, blood, vaginal secretions, or breast milk in order to multiply. Since this is the case, HIV can be passed from person to person. When exposed to air, high acid environments (such as the stomach or bladder), or parts of the body with antimicrobial defenses, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is unable to multiply (such as the mouth).

2. The disease must have a means of transmission, such as through specific sexual practices, the use of shared needles, occupational exposure, or maternal-to-infant transmission.

Third, there needs to be a substantial amount of virus in the fluids of the body for infection to take place. Saliva, perspiration, and tears are not possible viral reservoirs since their concentrations are thought to be too low to produce infection.

Fourth, the virus needs a way into the body to infect vulnerable cells; this might occur through a cut or pierce in the skin, the absorption of infected mucosal tissues, or both. HIV cannot infect healthy skin and spread.

Is There a Risk of HIV Transmission Through Smooching?

The salivary antibodies and enzymes prevent HIV from infecting new cells, making kissing an ineffective method of transmission of the virus. The fact that HIV cannot be spread from person to person is proof of this. Therefore, it is not possible to contract HIV by a kiss, not even a “French” kiss or a kiss with an open mouth.

But the virus that causes AIDS can be passed through the bloodstream. In the exceedingly improbable situation when an HIV-positive person has blood on or near their lips and the person receiving the kiss has an actively bleeding wound in their mouth, the HIV virus could be transmitted during an open-mouth kiss (such as bleeding gums, wounds, or open sores).

In addition, the following are not confirmed HIV transmission routes:

becoming a victim of an insect bite, whether from a mosquito, tick, or any other kind of bug. There is no virus in the saliva of infected insects, and the virus cannot be transmitted to healthy insects.

Using a mouth-to-mouth approach to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (the “kiss of life”).

A person infected with HIV who does not have blood contact with their saliva, tears, or perspiration.

Coming into contact with an HIV-positive person’s sneezes (the virus is not transmitted through air).

Exchanging pleasantries, such as a handshake or embrace.

Close physical contact with an HIV-positive person, such as sharing a bed or using shared cutlery or towels.

Taking part in pool activities where an HIV-positive individual may have been present is a potential risk (the virus is not transmitted through water).

the act of using a toilet that has been sat on by an HIV-positive individual. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot be transmitted by bodily fluids.