Transmission Fact Sheet. 01/12/05

How you CAN contract HIV

You can contract HIV from only three things: sexual fluids, blood and breast milk.

You could therefore be infected in one of three ways:

• From having unprotected sex (that is, sex without a condom) with a person who is HIV+.
• From contact with infected blood. This would include contact with blood from a sore or wound. But you should also not share a razor or use the same blade as anyone else in case blood on the blade is infected. You should also not use the same toothbrush in case you both have open sores or cuts in your mouths – or use the same syringe needle as someone else.
• A woman who is HIV+ may pass on the HI virus to her baby either in the womb (uncommon), by breastfeeding (more common) or while giving birth (most common).

As you cannot tell if someone is HIV positive (as people can look perfectly healthy even though they are living with the virus), it is important

• that you protect yourself in respect of sex (by using a condom every time; or, if you and your partner know that you are both HIV negative, by both having only one partner; or by not having sex – in other words, abstaining); and
• that you protect yourself from coming into contact with anyone else’s blood (by covering your hands with plastic (gloves or bags) if you have to touch blood).

If you are pregnant, it is important to know whether you are HIV positive so that you can take steps to reduce the chances of passing the virus on to your baby.

How you can NOT contract HIV

It is safe to:

• Hug someone who is HIV positive
• Kiss someone who is HIV positive
• Have someone’s sweat, tears or saliva touch you
• Share the same room or bed with someone who is HIV positive
• Use the same plates, cups and knives, forks and spoons
• Drink from a communal cup – like the Communion cup
• Sit in the same seat or pew as someone who is HIV positive
• Be near someone who is coughing or sneezing – HIV is not transmitted in this way
• Be bitten by a mosquito – they do not carry the virus although they might be carrying malaria
• Use the same toilet as someone who is HIV positive
• Bath or swim in the same water as someone who is HIV positive

There is no need to be afraid that you will get sick from simply being with people who are infected. If anything, they should be afraid of you! If they catch your cold or flu they may become very sick, as the virus attacks the body’s ability to fight illness and infection.

People who are living with, or otherwise directly affected by, HIV and AIDS need affection and need to be included … just like everyone else.

World AIDS Day Service: 1 December 2005 – Anglican Church of Southern Africa HIV & AIDS Office