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Glossary
 
  1. What are HIV and AIDS?
  2. I just tested positive - now what?
  3. How risky are kissing, hugging, and touching?
  4. testin question?
  5. What happens when you test for HIV?
  6. How do I protect myself?
  7. How do you get (and avoid getting) HIV?
  8. Should I get tested for HIV?
How risky are kissing, hugging, and touching?

Kissing
Low risk
. HIV is not transmitted through saliva. Although tiny amounts of HIV can be found in saliva, it is not enough to cause HIV infection alone. Additionally, the mouth is a pretty inhospitable place for HIV. Serious gum disease, along with cuts and abrasions due to dental surgery or flossing, however, can pose a very small risk for HIV transmission by allowing for the possible exchange of bodily fluids containing HIV.

Hugging
Low risk
. HIV is not transmitted through casual and ordinary social contact; it must enter the bloodstream in order to cause infection. No one has ever gotten HIV from hugging someone.

Touching
Low risk
. HIV is not shed from the skin, and is not transmitted by sweat. Unbroken skin is an excellent protection against infection. Caution should be used with freshly broken skin (cuts, abrasions,etc.), however, to avoid contact with infected blood.