You may be wondering if your sex life is putting you at risk for HIV. Some risky behaviors do increase your chance of getting HIV. However, you don’t need to worry about catching HIV just because you live with or socialize with someone who is infected. So, how does HIV spread?
HIV transmits through contact with bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. Unprotected sex and shared needles are the most common ways HIV spreads. There are many misconceptions about casual activities transmitting HIV that make people scared. Let’s clear up the myths to learn about the real ways HIV spreads—and the best ways to prevent it.
How HIV Is Transmitted
Sexual contact is the most common way HIV is spread. Vaginal and anal sex pose the biggest risks. While HIV transmission through oral sex is possible, it’s rare. Things like cuts or sores in the mouth can increase the risk of HIV.
There are also some less common ways that HIV is transmitted. For instance, mothers can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Doctors can provide treatments that significantly reduce this risk. Additionally, healthcare workers can be at risk when accidental needle sticks happen.
Activities That Pose Risk
Unprotected sex of any kind increases your risk for HIV. Sharing needles, syringes, and other equipment used for injections is also risky. These items can have traces of blood on them that can transmit HIV.
What Doesn’t Spread HIV
Causal contact doesn’t spread HIV. Not all bodily fluids spread HIV. It can’t be transmitted through saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces. You can’t get HIV from sharing food and drink or hugging and shaking hands. You also can’t get it from sitting on a shared or public toilet seat.
Many people wonder if you can get HIV from kissing. The official answer is that you can’t. Exchanging saliva through kissing won’t transmit HIV. However, there is a possibility that kissing can spread HIV if there is blood-to-blood contact. This could happen through things like bleeding gums, open sores in the mouth, or a severe bite that breaks the skin.
How to Protect Yourself (PrEP, Condoms, Testing)
Practicing safe sex is the best way to protect yourself from HIV. Use latex condoms every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If lubricant is used, it should be a water-based or silicone-based lubricant because oil-based lubricants have the potential to weaken and break a condom—instantly exposing you to HIV risks.
Regular HIV testing is also important. Every sexually active person should be tested for HIV at least once in their life. Based on your sexual lifestyle, it may be recommended that you test more frequently. It’s recommended that you test at least once a year if these risk factors apply:
- You’re a man who has had sex with another man.
- You’ve had anal or vaginal sex with someone who is HIV-positive.
- You’ve had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test.
- You’ve shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.
- You’ve exchanged sex for drugs or money.
- You’ve been diagnosed with another sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- You’ve had sex with someone who has done anything listed above.
- You’ve had sex with someone with an unknown sexual history.
If you’re sexually active, make sure you know about PrEP. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily medication that helps prevent HIV infection for high-risk people who are HIV-negative. When you take it correctly, PrEP reduces your HIV risk by 99%. Staying protected involves a daily pill that you can be prescribed online.
When to Get Tested
If you’re sexually active and it’s been more than a year since your last HIV test, you’re due. You should also get tested if you’ve had a high-risk encounter. This includes any unprotected sex, including with a person with an unknown sexual history, or unprotected sex with someone with known HIV-positive status. At MISTR, we make it easy to get testing and prevention handled all in one virtual consultation.
FAQs About HIV Transmission
How soon do HIV symptoms start?
Most HIV symptoms start two to four weeks after transmission. The most common early HIV symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms. It’s also possible to have no symptoms at all.
How can you tell if a partner has HIV?
There’s no way to know if someone has HIV just by looking at them. HIV may not produce any symptoms, and it’s possible to look perfectly healthy and vibrant while infected. The only way to know for sure is to ask a partner to share their HIV test results with you.
Can I take PrEP if I have an HIV-positive partner?
Yes, PrEP can reduce risks for HIV transmission by about 99% if you take it daily. It is often recommended for people in relationships with HIV-positive partners.
Why do I have to get tested for HIV before taking PrEP?
PrEP is only for HIV-negative people. Taking PrEP while HIV-positive could lead to drug resistance that could make treatment with antiviral drugs less effective if you ever become HIV-positive.
Explore PrEP options
HIV risks don’t have to lurk in the background of your sex life. If you’re worried about HIV, it’s time to learn about prevention methods like PrEP. At MISTR, we offer all the information you need to decide if PrEP is the right choice for you to stay protected. Our simple online appointments and by-mail prescriptions make safe sex easier than ever. Get empowered with information about PrEP and other HIV prevention tips today.