Facts & Myths
Can I contract HIV from saliva?
There is no risk of contracting HIV from the saliva of an HIV positive person. This is because HIV infection is only possible when a sufficient quantity of the virus enters your bloodstream. For this to happen with saliva, around 7 litres would have to be injected or swallowed. If saliva enters your mouth through, for example, kissing an HIV positive person, your own saliva will dilute theirs and the stomach acids will kill the virus.There is no risk of contracting HIV through normal day-to-day activity or by caring for a person with HIV or AIDS.
For example, you cannot contract HIV through:
- shaking hands with someone
- being sneezed or coughed on
- using toilet seats, telephones, pens or paper
- sharing food, drink, cups, cutlery, towels or a bed
- washing, massaging or rubbing someone
- being in the same room with someone
You can tell if someone is HIV positive?
You cannot tell if someone has HIV or AIDS just by looking at them. People who are HIV positive may look normal and feel well for many years. The only way to tell if someone is HIV-positive is by a blood test for HIV antibodies.
If you have any questions that you would like to discuss don't hesitate to contact NTAHC and speak to one of our workers.