Can HIV be transmitted through kissing by an HIV-positive person?
Disease description:
I heard from a friend that HIV is highly contagious and can be transmitted through everyday contact. Is it true that an HIV-positive person can transmit HIV tonight?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Jiang Weimin
In general, casual daily contact—such as kissing or shaking hands—does not transmit HIV. HIV is primarily transmitted through blood. The concentration of HIV in the saliva of infected individuals is very low, and saliva contains specific enzymes that inhibit HIV’s infectivity; therefore, transmission via saliva is extremely rare. However, caution is warranted: if either partner has oral mucosal bleeding or ulcers during kissing, the risk of transmission increases.
