Question

Your human sexuality class has been discussing HIV. Another student raises his hand and says to the professor, "I'm confused. How can you say that HIV antibodies are found in oral fluids, yet saliva does not transmit HIV?" As a student, you have read extensively on the subject for your research paper. What can you add to the class discussion to provide clarification to this student?

Answer 1

In general, there is not an adequate amount of the virus in saliva to be transmissible.

Step-by-step explanation:

Unlike syphilis and cold sores, the AIDS virus cannot be transmitted by saliva. The body fluids that transmit HIV are just blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.

Saliva, sweat, tears, and urine do not have enough viral load to infect another person. This is why HIV is not transmitted by sharing glasses and cutlery, nor by kissing, for example.