A POST is circulating on a social media platform claiming that HIV or human immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted through the act of kissing.
Is this true?
VERDICT:
FALSE
Although the virus can be present in saliva, it will likely be in such minute quantities that it cannot cause infection.
In fact, saliva contains enzymes that inhibit the infectivity of HIV, which disrupts the virus from being transmitted effectively.
HIV is primarily spread through certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids, as well as breast milk.
For transmission to occur, these fluids must enter the bloodstream.
This means that closed-mouth kissing poses no transmission risks and even open-mouth kissing is unlikely to cause infection unless both individuals have bleeding sores or gums, which may lead to blood contact.
In addition, casual contacts like hugging, shaking hands, as well as sharing food and drinks do not pose risks of HIV transmission.
The virus is unable to survive long outside human bodies, which further reduces the risk associated with casual interactions.
HIV can be prevented through the use of protection such as condoms during sexual intercourse and taking PrEP medication, which has been shown to reduce the risk of catching HIV by up to 90%.
Regular testing is also recommended, apart from avoiding the sharing of needles for drug use.
References:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/
https://sh24.org.uk/help-
https://www.medicalnewstoday.
https://www.webmd.com/hiv-
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
Link to socmed post: https://x.com/kafkahibino317/
