Compared to many viruses, HIV is not easily passed on. It cannot pass through unbroken skin and is usually spread by unprotected sexual contact.
It is not transmitted in the following ways:
- casual social contact (eg, handshake, kissing, hugging)
- through coughing or sneezing (HIV does not travel in the air)
- through tears, sweat, saliva (and spitting), urine or faeces
- sharing objects someone with HIV has touched or used to eat or drink from
- from toilet seats, swimming pools, showers, hot tubs, towels, etc
- insect bites (including mosquitoes) or from animals
- mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (giving 'the kiss of life')
- by giving or receiving blood.