Transmission

 HIV can only be transmitted the following way:

1. HIV must be present
2. HIV must be in sufficient concentration
3. Must be in body fluids that carry the virus in sufficient concentration:
   • Vaginal fluid
   • Semen
   • Blood
   • Breast Milk
   • Pre  cum (sufficient quantities and a high viral load)
4. Human to human contact

Blood to blood transmission:

• Occupational - needle stick injury
• Surgery of blood transfusions (in Australia prior to 1990)
• Injecting drug use - sharing equipment
• Body piercing - re-using equipment

Non transmission

The following body fluids have been shown to have HIV in them but not in sufficient concentration for HIV to be transmitted

• Tears
• Saliva
• Pus
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Lymphatic fluids

Myths about transmission - no risk of HIV transmission:

• Sharing common household objects - toilet seats, shower facilities, cutlery, glassware or food
• Mosquitoes, bed bugs and other insects (HIV does not replicate or survive long in insects and HIV is not present in sufficient quantities. Mosquitoes inject saliva not blood.