Final answer:
The risk of HIV being transmitted through saliva is very low. Main transmission routes include sexual contact, contaminated needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential for salivary transmission of HIV is considered to be very low. HIV is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids such as blood, semen, or breast milk, and not through saliva. The higher risks of transmission are associated with sexual contact, especially when there are open sores or a high viral load, and through the use of contaminated hypodermic needles.
The virus can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during late pregnancy, childbirth, or through breast milk. Efforts to prevent HIV transmission through sexual contact include the consistent use of condoms, which can greatly reduce the risk of transmission.