the world in which a person lives or is travelling . For instance , in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe , the predominant mode of transmission is through the sharing of needles and syringes for the injection of drugs .
HIV Cannot be transmitted through Casual Contact
HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva , tears , urine or any other body fluid except blood , semen , vaginal fluids and breast milk . It is impossible to contract HIV by :
o Kissing , hugging or shaking hands o Insect or animal bites o Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses o Sitting on a toilet seat o Living with an HIV positive person o Swimming in the same pool as someone living with HIV o Touching or coming into contact with someone ’ s tears or sweat
A number of studies of families living with an HIV positive family member have documented that there is no risk of HIV transmission via everyday contact .
If you are sexually active and have unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse ( without a condom ) and / or share injection equipment , HIV may be transmitted from one partner to the other if one of you has HIV . The only way to be sure about your HIV status and your partners ’ is to get an HIV test .
Basic HIV prevention Strategies
o Always discuss HIV status with potential sexual partners and negotiate safer sex ; use a Basic HIV prevention strategies condom for vaginal and anal sex . o Avoid sharing injecting equipment , body piercing equipment or knives used to cut the skin . o Ensure only new or properly sterilised equipment is used for medical procedures . o Refer HIV pregnant women to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission ( PMTC ) programmes . o Follow WHO guidelines for nursing mothers who are breastfeeding and HIV positive ( check more at the end of this section ).